Fluorine Polymer Microchannel Device Bondability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microchannel devices face challenges in achieving both excellent solvent resistance and bondability, particularly when using fluorine-containing polymers, as the adhesiveness between polymer-containing members is difficult to enhance, leading to issues with deformation and solvent exposure.
Innovation Solution
A microchannel device design featuring a first base with a fluorine-containing polymer and a second base with solvent resistance, where the arithmetic average roughness of the exposed surface is 1 μm or more, and the surfaces include surfactants to improve hydrophilicity and adhesiveness, allowing for effective solvent resistance and bondability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluorine-containing polymer is used for solvent resistance, then solvent resistance is improved, but bondability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple members (first member, second member, third member) where at least one member contains a fluorine-containing polymer for solvent resistance, while other members provide bonding surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized properties - the fluorine-containing member provides solvent resistance while non-fluorine members provide bondability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If silicone rubber is used for flow channel formation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but solvent resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel structure is segmented between a mold (used for forming) and the actual device members. The mold can be made of silicone rubber for ease of manufacturing the flow channel shape, while the device members themselves are made from materials that provide both solvent resistance and bondability. This separates the manufacturing function from the operational function, resolving the contradiction.
3Reliability
If fluorine-containing polymer members are bonded together, then solvent resistance is improved, but adhesion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate member or surface treatment is introduced between fluorine-containing polymer members to facilitate bonding. The intermediate layer or treatment provides a bonding interface that overcomes the low adhesion of fluorine-containing polymers, while the fluorine-containing members themselves maintain their solvent resistance properties. This intermediary element resolves the contradiction between maintaining solvent resistance and achieving adequate adhesion.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a microchannel device including a first base having a defining surface that defines a flow channel and containing a polymer that contains a fluorine atom and a second base having a defining surface that defines the flow channel together with the defining surface of the first base, having solvent resistance, and coming into contact with the first base, in which an arithmetic average roughness Ra of a surface of the first base, exposed by peeling the second base from the first base, is 1 μm or more, and provides a use application thereof.