Enhanced sample pre-concentration by ion concentration polarization on a paraffin coated converging microfluidic paper based analytical platform

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (mu PADs) represent a modest and feasible alternative for conventional analytical methods. However, the inadequate sensitivity of these devices limits the possible applications of mu PADs. In this scenario, inducing ion concentration polarization (ICP) on mu PADs has shown promise to overcome this limitation by preconcentrating the analytes of interest. Here, we report a mu PAD implementing ICP using an off-shelf Nafion (R) membrane as the perm selective membrane. Two types of devices with a geometrical configuration of a straight channel converging at the middle connecting to circular reservoirs at the end of channels were fabricated. The devices are comprised of a single input channel and an absorption channel. The Nafion membrane is attached to the absorption channel of the device, which is encased by heating with paraffin films at both sides to lower the electro-osmotic flow generated by an applied DC electric field that is needed for ICP. The field induced ICP enables obtaining a maximum concentration factor of more than 2000 folds for fluorescein sodium salt solution on the mu PAD. Also, since evaporation of the sample solution was reported to be of great influence on the concentration factor, we analyze the effect of sample solution evaporation on sample preconcentration. Furthermore, our reported fabrication method for mu PAD can lower the fabrication cost down to 0.3 USD. This device shows the potential to be developed for serving as a diagnostic and environmental monitoring platform.