METHODS FOR FABRICATING MORPHOLOGICALLY TRANSFORMED NANO-STRUCTURES (MTNS) AND TUNABLE NANOCOMPOSITE POLYMER MATERIALS, AND DEVICES USING SUCH MATERIALS

• US 20160033403A1
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Published: 02/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Concordia University
• Original Assignee: Concordia University
• Inventors: Packirisamy, Muthukumaran, Ozhikandathil, Jayan, Khosla, Ajit
• Granted Patent: US 10,345,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/16 Surface properties and coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 1/102 Metallic powder coated with organic material
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 9/24 starting from liquid metal compounds, e.g. solutions
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/005 Reinforced macromolecular compounds with nanosized materials, e.g. nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods or nanolayered materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/33 using ultraviolet light G01N21/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/554 detecting the surface plasmon resonance of nanostructured metals, e.g. localised surface plasmon resonance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/22 the conductive material comprising metals or alloys

Abstract

In order to implement a microfluidics sensor having higher efficiency, Applicants have developed a method of formation of nano-structures having various shapes and sizes onto materials such as polymers, glass and silicon, which are compatible with the microfabrication processes. The adhesion of the nano-structures and feasibility to tune their properties (optical, electrical and mechanical) are two prime concerns when they are adopted for microfluidics devices.

Claims

1. A method of fabrication of nanoparticle reinforced polymer comprising:

performing a partial and controlled reduction of metal salts to metal nanoparticles by using a crosslinking or curing agent during the preparation process of the polymer; and

adding electrically conductive nanoparticles to the polymer during the preparation process.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein performing a partial and controlled reduction of metal salts comprises controlling the reduction by varying the concentration of the metal salts and the crosslinking agent.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein performing a partial and controlled reduction of metal salts to nanoparticles comprises:

tuning at least one of optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of the polymer for various applications by controlling the percentage weight (wt %) of the nanoparticles in the polymer by adjusting an amount of crosslinking agent and a concentration of the metal salts during preparation of polymer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein subsequent to adding electrically conductive nanoparticles to the polymer, the method further comprises mechanically stimulating the polymer to mix the electrically conductive nanoparticles of same or different shapes and sizes uniformly in the polymer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is one of:

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS);

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA);

Polyurethane (PUR and PU);

Polystyrene (PS);

Ethylene Copolymer;

Cyclo Olefinecopolymer;

Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COC);

Ethylene-norbomene Copolymer;

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE);

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE);

Polypropylene (PP);

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC);

Nylon;

Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene);

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU);

ethylenedioxythiophene silicones;

Polyethylene poly(styrenesulfonate);

polycarbazoles;

polyindoles; and

polyazepines.

27. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

optimizing the annealing of metallic nano-clusters for use in the formation of morphologically transformed nano-structures (MTNS) suitable for the bio-sensing.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein optimizing annealing the metallic nano-clusters comprises:

selecting a temperature for annealing metallic nano-clusters that is below the melting temperature of the metallic nano-cluster material.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein optimizing annealing the metallic nano-clusters comprises:

selecting a temperature for annealing metallic nano-clusters on a substrate between 250°

C. and 450°

C.

4. (canceled)

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8. A nanocomposite material fabricated by a partial and controlled reduction of metal salts to metallic nanoparticles by using a crosslinking agent and the addition of electrically conductive nanoparticles during the preparation process of the polymer.

11. The nanocomposite material of claim 8, further comprising using the nanocomposite material for fabricating microdevices and nanodevices having nanostructures with enhanced material properties wherein the microdevices and nanodevices are one or more of:

microelectronic sensors;

electronic sensors;

ECG, EKG, bio-potential sensors;

heating pads with ribbon cables;

strain gauges;

tunable antennas;

flexible electronics;

tactile sensors;

Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) devices; and

interdigitated electrodes.

13. The nanocomposite material of claim 8 further comprising using the nanocomposite material for fabricating flexible micro or nano electronics or electrical circuits or mechanical elements.

15. The nanocomposite material of claim 8 wherein the polymer is one of:

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS);

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA);

Polyurethane (PUR and PU);

Polystyrene (PS);

Ethylene Copolymer;

Cyclo Olefinecopolymer;

Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COC);

Ethylene-norbomene Copolymer;

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE);

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE);

Polypropylene (PP);

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC);

Nylon;

Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene);

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU);

ethylenedioxythiophene silicones;

Polyethylene poly(styrenesulfonate);

polycarbazoles;

polyindoles; and

polyazepines.

17. The nanocomposite material of claim 8, wherein the nanocomposite material is patternable or is used in nano-microscale printing on various dielectric and non-dielectric substrates, wherein the dielectric and non-dielectric substrates include fabrics, plastics and glass.

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32. A device for use in bio-sensing, the device comprising:

high sensitivity morphologically transformed nano-structures (MTNS) fabricated by morphology tuning of metallic nano-clusters integrated on a substrate.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein the metallic nano-cluster is integrated on the substrate using an in-situ synthesis process of an aqueous metal solution interacting with the substrate.

34. The device of claim 32 wherein using an in-situ synthesis process of an aqueous metal solution interacting with the substrate comprises using an in-situ synthesis process of aqueous silver nitrate interacting with the substrate.

35. The device of claim 32 wherein morphology tuning of the metallic nano-clusters is performed by heating the substrate to a temperature that is below the melting temperature of the metallic nano-cluster material.

39. The device of claim 32 wherein the MTNS are formed on a sensing platform within a microfluidic platform,

wherein the microfluidic platform comprises:

a sensing chamber for containing bio-reagents for testing within which the sensing platform is located;

one or more micro-channels fluidly connecting a first fluid reservoir for supplying bio-reagents to the sensing chamber;

one or more micro-channels fluidly connecting the sensing chamber to a second fluid reservoir for removing bio-reagents; and

at least one optical waveguide proximate the sensing chamber to supply a radiation source into the sensing chamber and detect radiation emanating from the sensing chamber.

41. The device of claim 39 wherein the microfluidic platform is comprised of at least two portions, a first portion being the substrate with the sensing chamber, reservoirs, micro-channels and optical waveguides and a second portion being a cover to enclose at least the sensing chamber, reservoirs and micro-channels.

43. The device of claim 39 wherein the microfluidic platform is fabricated from one or more of:

glass;

PDMS;

silicon;

transparent polymers;

metal; and

ceramic.

44. The device of claim 32 wherein the substrate on which the metallic nanoclusters are formed is fabricated from one or more of:

glass;

PDMS;

transparent polymers;

silicon and composites thereof.

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