Elastomeric nanocomposite based on carbon nanotubes for Polymerase Chain Reaction device

The low thermal conductivity of polymers is the main problem to design efficient disposable polymeric Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) devices. The introduction of nanocomposite (NC) materials to fabricate Lab-On-a-Chips (LOCs) for on-chip PCR can improve the thermal response of the final device, fastening the PCR thermocycling. In this study, we propose the application of the nanocomposite obtained introducing Multi-Walled Carbon NanoTubes (MWCNTs) into Poly(DiMethyl)Siloxane (PDMS). We demonstrate a better thermal behavior for devices made of the nanocomposite material, observing faster transitions and a better control in steady-state temperatures. The better thermal performance of the nanocomposite-based device is mirrored by an efficiency increase in PCR reaction, demonstrating the direct enhancing effect of the CNTs content in the composite. This novel approach allows us to reach a more precise control in the biological reaction, with a beneficial effect on process efficiency, actually introducing a new class of devices. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.