Development of a paper-based microfluidic analytical device by a more facile hydrophobic substrate generation strategy

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) have a significant potential in developing portable and disposable point-of-care testing (POCT). Herein, a facile, rapid, cost-effective and environment friendly strategy for μPADs fabrication is proposed. Specifically, the substrate paper was hydrophobized by coating with trimethoxysilane (TOS), and then the selected area was hydrophilized by treating with surfactant. The whole fabrication process was implemented within 7 min, with no need for complex pre-treatment, high-temperature and special equipment. As a proof-of-concept application, the as-prepared μPAD was applied to determination of the glucose content in human serum samples. The results agreed well with those obtained by a glucometer. We believe that the μPADs fabrication method proposed here could provide a facile, rapid and low-cost reference for other related studies.