Multi-functional silica microdot arrays by inkjet printing for biosensor applications
Résumé
Silica-based microarrays for molecular recognition are realized using a piezoelectric drop-on-demand inkjet printer. In an evaporation induced self-assembly route, a silica sol containing (3-azidopropyl)triethoxysilane is used as ink to print azido-functionalized mesoporous silica microdots arrays clickable with various alkyno-peptides, in accordance with the Huisgen 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition commonly called "click reaction". In a similar route, a second ink is formulated integrating an alkyne silylated precursor. By using a multi-printhead system, a bi-material of intercrossed azido and alkyno-functionalized network can be built. The successive reactions with clickable peptides lead to the array multi-functionalization. The success of the click chemistry, EISA and inkjet printing combination highly depends on the ink formulation, which is adjusted in regards to the viscosity and surface tension in the appropriate range for inkjet printing.