Electrokinetic particle trapping in microfluidic wells using conductive nanofiber mats.

The frequency dependence of electrokinetic particle trapping using large-area (>mm) conductive carbon nanofiber (CNF) mat electrodes is investigated. The fibers provide nanoscale geometric features for the generation of high electric field gradients, which is necessary for particle trapping via dielectrophoresis (DEP). A device was fabricated with an array of microfluidic wells for repeated experiments; each well included a CNF mat electrode opposing an aluminum electrode.

An electrospun nanofiber mat as an electrode for AC-dielectrophoretic trapping of nanoparticles.

In order to trap nanoparticles with dielectrophoresis, high electric field gradients are needed. Here we created large area (>mm) conductive carbon nanofiber mats to trap nanoparticles with dielectrophoresis. The electrospun fiber mats had an average diameter of 267 ± 94 nm and a conductivity of 2.