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Bipolar Electrode Focusing: Faradaic Ion Concentration Polarization
Analytical Chemistry (2011)
  • Robbyn K. Anand, University of Texas at Austin
  • Eoin Sheridan, University of Texas at Austin
  • Kyle N. Knust, University of Texas at Austin
  • Richard M. Crooks, University of Texas at Austin
Abstract

Bipolar electrode (BPE) focusing locally enriches charged analytes in a microchannel along an electric field gradient that opposes a counter-flow. This electric field gradient forms at the boundary of an ion depletion zone generated by the BPE. Here, we demonstrate concentration enrichment of a fluorescent tracer by up to 500 000-fold. The use of a dual-channel microfluidic configuration, composed of two microchannels electrochemically connected by a BPE, enhances the rate of enrichment (up to 71-fold/s). Faradaic reactions at the ends of the BPE generate ion depletion and enrichment zones in the two, separated channels. This type of device is equivalent to previously reported micro/nanochannel junction arrangements used for ion concentration polarization, but it is experimentally more flexible and much simpler to construct.

Disciplines
Publication Date
February, 2011
Publisher Statement
Reprinted (adapted) with permission from Analytical Chemistry 83 (2011): 2351, doi:10.1021/ac103302j. Copyright 2011 American Chemical Society.
Citation Information
Robbyn K. Anand, Eoin Sheridan, Kyle N. Knust and Richard M. Crooks. "Bipolar Electrode Focusing: Faradaic Ion Concentration Polarization" Analytical Chemistry Vol. 83 Iss. 6 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robbyn_anand/5/