Digital Microfluidics for the Investigation of Reaction Kinetics at Liquid-Liquid Interfaces

Abstract:
This work characterizes the dispensing of droplets of 1-octanol in a digital microfluidic platform. The performance of an L-junction reservoir, in terms of repeatability of dispensed volume, is compared to a conventional reservoir design. The influence of relevant parameters, such as the frequency of the applied actuationsignal, as well as the activation time of the electrodes and thus the dispensing speed, is analyzed. We show that using suitable parameters, both reservoir designs are capable of highly repeatable droplet dispensing. Thus, a key requirement for the application of digital microfluidics in chemical research is fulfilled for 1-octanol, and we suggest that due to its favorable electrowetting properties and low volatility, it will be a suitable solvent for systematical studies of interfacial reactions at organic solvent/water interfaces within a digital microfluidic platform.