Analytical Sciences

Screen Printed Paper-based Diagnostic Devices with Polymeric Inks

Ju-Yen SUN,* Chao-Min CHENG,** and Ying-Chih LIAO*

*Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Roosevelt Road Section 4, Daan District, 886-100 Taipei, Taiwan
**Institute of Nanoengineering and Microsystems, National Tsing Hua University, No. 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, 886-300 Hsinchu, Taiwan

A simple and low-cost fabrication method for paper-based diagnostic devices (PBDDs) is described in this study. Street-available polymer solutions were screen printed onto filter papers to create hydrophobic patterns for fluidic channels. In order to obtain fully functional hydrophobic patterns for fluids, the original polymer solutions were diluted with butyl acetate to yield a suitable viscosity range between 30 – 200 cP for complete patterning on paper. Typical pH and glucose tests with color indicators were performed on the screen printed PBDDs. Images of the PBDDs were analyzed by computers to obtain calibration curves for pH between 2 and 12 and glucose concentration ranging from 10 – 1000 mmol dm⁻³. Detection of formaldehyde in acetone was also carried out to show the possibility of using this PBBD for analytical detection with organic solvents. An exemplar PBDD with simultaneous pH and glucose detection was also used to demonstrate the feasibility of applying this technique for realistic diagnostic applications.

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