Modulating molecular and nanoparticle transport in flexible polydimethylsiloxane membranes.

ABSTRACT: The ability to fabricate flexible filtration membranes that can selectively separate particles of different sizes is of considerable interest. In this article, we describe a facile, reproducible and simple one-step method to produce pores in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes. We embedded micron-sized NaHCO(3) particles in 50 micron thick PDMS films. After curing, the membranes were immersed in concentrated HCl acid. Pores were generated in the membrane by the evolution of CO(2) gas from the reaction of NaHCO(3) and HCl. High resolution Scanning Electron Microscope images clearly reveal the presence of openings on the surface and the cross-section of the membranes. Fluorescence and back-scattered electron imaging of porous PDMS membrane with embedded gold nanoparticles and comparison wi

SUBMITTER: Jiao K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3430524 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature