Bundled carbon nanotube-based sensor on paper-based microfluidic device

Bundled carbon nanotube (CNT)-based sensor has been fabricated on paper substrate for chemical sensing applications. Integration of the sensor and fluidic channel was demonstrated for the potential development of a paper-based microfluidic device. In this work, electrical pH measurement of analyte solution was presented to show the functionality of the device. The device with the functions of fluidic transportation and chemical sensing was fabricated on a single paper. The bundled CNT-based sensor was first formed on a sheet of paper by vacuum filtration process. Hence, the hydrophilic channel across the sensor was defined by the application of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material. Therefore, aqueous solution, e.g., sample, can be passively transported along the channels by wicking through the hydrophilic fibers of paper. The pH value of the solution can be electrically measured by the sensor. Determination of the pH value from 3 to 11 of the solutions was demonstrated by measuring the resistance change of the sensor. Because the proposed device is low cost, simple, flexible, and disposable, it is suitable for the development of the analytical device for the developing countries and harsh environments. Moreover, because CNT has excellent properties and can be functionalized by various molecules, the proposed paper-based microfluidic device has potential to realize more chemical and biological assays on paper with high sensitivity and specificity.