Effect of surfactants on electroosmotic flow and trapping behavior in a polymeric insulator-based dielectrophoretic (idep) device

Abstract

We have previously reported on the use of insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) for the separation and concentration of biological particles in water. We have found that the applied DC field required to trap these particles depends on particle size, shape, and the zeta potential of the material utilized to form the device. In order to improve device performance, and decrease the power required for optimal performance, it is necessary to adjust one (or several) of these parameters. Surfactants are known to adsorb onto polymeric surfaces in a dynamic fashion, and have been utilized extensively to modify device performance in such related fields as capillary electrophoresis and micellar electrokinetic chromatography. We present here the effect of the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, on the applied field strengths required to achieve effective isolation and trapping of polystyrene beads