A gold nanorod-facilitated optical heating method for droplets in microfluidic chips is reported. Individual and stream nanoliter level droplets containing gold nanorods are heated by a low power 808-nm-wavelength laser. Owing to the high photothermal conversion efficiency of gold nanorods, a droplet temperature of 95 °C is achieved by employing a 13.6 mW laser with good reproducibility. The heating and cooling times are 200 and 800 ms, respectively, which are attributed to the fast thermal-transfer rates of the droplets. By controlling the irradiation laser power, the temperature cycles for polymerase chain reaction are also demonstrated.

© 2013 OSA

1. H. Song, D. L. Chen, and R. F. Ismagilov, “Reactions in droplets in microflulidic channels,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.45(44), 7336–7356 (2006). [CrossRef]
2. A. B. Theberge, F. Courtois, Y. Schaerli, M. Fischlechner, C. Abell, F. Hollfelder, and W. T. S. Huck, “Microdroplets in microfluidics: an evolving platform for discoveries in chemistry and biology,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.49(34), 5846–5868 (2010). [PubMed]
3. V. Trivedi, A. Doshi, G. K. Kurup, E. Ereifej, P. J. Vandevord, and A. S. Basu, “A modular approach for the generation, storage, mixing, and detection of droplet libraries for high throughput screening,” Lab Chip10(18), 2433–2442 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
4. J.-T. Wang, J. Wang, and J.-J. Han, “Fabrication of advanced particles and particle-based materials assisted by droplet-based microfluidics,” Small7(13), 1728–1754 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
5. D. T. Chiu, R. M. Lorenz, and G. D. Jeffries, “Droplets for ultrasmall-volume analysis,” Anal. Chem.81(13), 5111–5118 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
6. M. U. Kopp, A. J. Mello, and A. Manz, “Chemical amplification: continuous-flow PCR on a chip,” Science280(5366), 1046–1048 (1998). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
7. A. J. de Mello, M. Habgood, N. L. Lancaster, T. Welton, and R. C. R. Wootton, “Precise temperature control in microfluidic devices using Joule heating of ionic liquids,” Lab Chip4(5), 417–419 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
8. R. Fu, B. Xu, and D. Li, “Study of the temperature field in microchannels of a PDMS chip with embedded local heater using temperature-dependent fluorescent dye,” Int. J. Therm. Sci.45(9), 841–847 (2006). [CrossRef]
9. B. Selva, J. Marchalot, and M. C. Jullien, “An optimized resistor pattern for temperature gradient control in microfluidics,” J. Micromech. Microeng.19(6), 065002 (2009). [CrossRef]
10. H. Reinhardt, P. S. Dittrich, A. Manz, and J. Franzke, “Micro-hotplate enhanced optical heating by infrared light for single cell treatment,” Lab Chip7(11), 1509–1514 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
11. L. H. Thamdrup, N. B. Larsen, and A. Kristensen, “Light-induced local heating for thermophoretic manipulation of DNA in polymer micro- and nanochannels,” Nano Lett.10(3), 826–832 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
12. K. Zhang, A. Jian, X. Zhang, Y. Wang, Z. Li, and H. Y. Tam, “Laser-induced thermal bubbles for microfluidic applications,” Lab Chip11(7), 1389–1395 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
13. C.-H. Chou, C.-D. Chen, and C. R. Wang, “Highly efficient, wavelength-tunable, gold nanoparticle based optothermal nanoconvertors,” J. Phys. Chem. B109(22), 11135–11138 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
14. H. H. Richardson, M. T. Carlson, P. J. Tandler, P. Hernandez, and A. O. Govorov, “Experimental and theoretical studies of light-to-heat conversion and collective heating effects in metal nanoparticle solutions,” Nano Lett.9(3), 1139–1146 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
15. S. Merabia, S. Shenogin, L. Joly, P. Keblinski, and J. L. Barrat, “Heat transfer from nanoparticles: a corresponding state analysis,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.106(36), 15113–15118 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
16. G. Baffou, R. Quidant, and F. J. García de Abajo, “Nanoscale control of optical heating in complex plasmonic systems,” ACS Nano4(2), 709–716 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
17. H. Chen, L. Shao, T. Ming, Z. Sun, C. Zhao, B. Yang, and J. Wang, “Understanding the photothermal conversion efficiency of gold nanocrystals,” Small6(20), 2272–2280 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
18. B. Jang, Y. S. Kim, and Y. Choi, “Effects of gold nanorod concentration on the depth-related temperature increase during hyperthermic ablation,” Small7(2), 265–270 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
19. C. Fang, L. Shao, Y. Zhao, J. Wang, and H. Wu, “A gold nanocrystal/poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite for plasmonic heating on microfluidic chips,” Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach Fla.)24(1), 94–98 (2012). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
20. J. C. McDonald, D. C. Duffy, J. R. Anderson, D. T. Chiu, H. K. Wu, O. J. A. Schueller, and G. M. Whitesides, “Fabrication of microfluidic systems in poly(dimethylsiloxane),” Electrophoresis21(1), 27–40 (2000). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
21. P. Wang, L. Zhang, Y. Xia, L. Tong, X. Xu, and Y. Ying, “Polymer nanofibers embedded with aligned gold nanorods: a new platform for plasmonic studies and optical sensing,” Nano Lett.12(6), 3145–3150 (2012). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
22. D. Ross, M. Gaitan, and L. E. Locascio, “Temperature measurement in microfluidic systems using a temperature-dependent fluorescent dye,” Anal. Chem.73(17), 4117–4123 (2001). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
23. G. T. Roman, K. McDaniel, and C. T. Culbertson, “High efficiency micellar electrokinetic chromatography of hydrophobic analytes on poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchips,” Analyst (Lond.)131(2), 194–201 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
24. P. H. Hoang, H. Park, and D. P. Kim, “Ultrafast and continuous synthesis of unaccommodating inorganic nanomaterials in droplet- and ionic liquid-assisted microfluidic system,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.133(37), 14765–14770 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
25. J. H. Park, A. M. Derfus, E. Segal, K. S. Vecchio, S. N. Bhatia, and M. J. Sailor, “Local heating of discrete droplets using magnetic porous silicon-based photonic crystals,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.128(24), 7938–7946 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
26. K. J. Shaw, P. T. Docker, J. V. Yelland, C. E. Dyer, J. Greenman, G. M. Greenway, and S. J. Haswell, “Rapid PCR amplification using a microfluidic device with integrated microwave heating and air impingement cooling,” Lab Chip10(13), 1725–1728 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
27. J. J. Shah, S. G. Sundaresan, J. Geist, D. R. Reyes, J. C. Booth, M. V. Rao, and M. Gaitan, “Microwave dielectric heating of fluids in an integrated microfluidic device,” J. Micromech. Microeng.17(11), 2224–2230 (2007). [CrossRef]

ACS Nano

• G. Baffou, R. Quidant, and F. J. García de Abajo, “Nanoscale control of optical heating in complex plasmonic systems,” ACS Nano4(2), 709–716 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach Fla.)

• C. Fang, L. Shao, Y. Zhao, J. Wang, and H. Wu, “A gold nanocrystal/poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite for plasmonic heating on microfluidic chips,” Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach Fla.)24(1), 94–98 (2012). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Anal. Chem.

• D. Ross, M. Gaitan, and L. E. Locascio, “Temperature measurement in microfluidic systems using a temperature-dependent fluorescent dye,” Anal. Chem.73(17), 4117–4123 (2001). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• D. T. Chiu, R. M. Lorenz, and G. D. Jeffries, “Droplets for ultrasmall-volume analysis,” Anal. Chem.81(13), 5111–5118 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Analyst (Lond.)

• G. T. Roman, K. McDaniel, and C. T. Culbertson, “High efficiency micellar electrokinetic chromatography of hydrophobic analytes on poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchips,” Analyst (Lond.)131(2), 194–201 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.

• H. Song, D. L. Chen, and R. F. Ismagilov, “Reactions in droplets in microflulidic channels,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.45(44), 7336–7356 (2006). [CrossRef]

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.

• A. B. Theberge, F. Courtois, Y. Schaerli, M. Fischlechner, C. Abell, F. Hollfelder, and W. T. S. Huck, “Microdroplets in microfluidics: an evolving platform for discoveries in chemistry and biology,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.49(34), 5846–5868 (2010). [PubMed]

Electrophoresis

• J. C. McDonald, D. C. Duffy, J. R. Anderson, D. T. Chiu, H. K. Wu, O. J. A. Schueller, and G. M. Whitesides, “Fabrication of microfluidic systems in poly(dimethylsiloxane),” Electrophoresis21(1), 27–40 (2000). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Int. J. Therm. Sci.

• R. Fu, B. Xu, and D. Li, “Study of the temperature field in microchannels of a PDMS chip with embedded local heater using temperature-dependent fluorescent dye,” Int. J. Therm. Sci.45(9), 841–847 (2006). [CrossRef]

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

• P. H. Hoang, H. Park, and D. P. Kim, “Ultrafast and continuous synthesis of unaccommodating inorganic nanomaterials in droplet- and ionic liquid-assisted microfluidic system,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.133(37), 14765–14770 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• J. H. Park, A. M. Derfus, E. Segal, K. S. Vecchio, S. N. Bhatia, and M. J. Sailor, “Local heating of discrete droplets using magnetic porous silicon-based photonic crystals,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.128(24), 7938–7946 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

J. Micromech. Microeng.

• J. J. Shah, S. G. Sundaresan, J. Geist, D. R. Reyes, J. C. Booth, M. V. Rao, and M. Gaitan, “Microwave dielectric heating of fluids in an integrated microfluidic device,” J. Micromech. Microeng.17(11), 2224–2230 (2007). [CrossRef]
• B. Selva, J. Marchalot, and M. C. Jullien, “An optimized resistor pattern for temperature gradient control in microfluidics,” J. Micromech. Microeng.19(6), 065002 (2009). [CrossRef]

J. Phys. Chem. B

• C.-H. Chou, C.-D. Chen, and C. R. Wang, “Highly efficient, wavelength-tunable, gold nanoparticle based optothermal nanoconvertors,” J. Phys. Chem. B109(22), 11135–11138 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Lab Chip

• A. J. de Mello, M. Habgood, N. L. Lancaster, T. Welton, and R. C. R. Wootton, “Precise temperature control in microfluidic devices using Joule heating of ionic liquids,” Lab Chip4(5), 417–419 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• K. Zhang, A. Jian, X. Zhang, Y. Wang, Z. Li, and H. Y. Tam, “Laser-induced thermal bubbles for microfluidic applications,” Lab Chip11(7), 1389–1395 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• H. Reinhardt, P. S. Dittrich, A. Manz, and J. Franzke, “Micro-hotplate enhanced optical heating by infrared light for single cell treatment,” Lab Chip7(11), 1509–1514 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• V. Trivedi, A. Doshi, G. K. Kurup, E. Ereifej, P. J. Vandevord, and A. S. Basu, “A modular approach for the generation, storage, mixing, and detection of droplet libraries for high throughput screening,” Lab Chip10(18), 2433–2442 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• K. J. Shaw, P. T. Docker, J. V. Yelland, C. E. Dyer, J. Greenman, G. M. Greenway, and S. J. Haswell, “Rapid PCR amplification using a microfluidic device with integrated microwave heating and air impingement cooling,” Lab Chip10(13), 1725–1728 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Nano Lett.

• P. Wang, L. Zhang, Y. Xia, L. Tong, X. Xu, and Y. Ying, “Polymer nanofibers embedded with aligned gold nanorods: a new platform for plasmonic studies and optical sensing,” Nano Lett.12(6), 3145–3150 (2012). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• L. H. Thamdrup, N. B. Larsen, and A. Kristensen, “Light-induced local heating for thermophoretic manipulation of DNA in polymer micro- and nanochannels,” Nano Lett.10(3), 826–832 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• H. H. Richardson, M. T. Carlson, P. J. Tandler, P. Hernandez, and A. O. Govorov, “Experimental and theoretical studies of light-to-heat conversion and collective heating effects in metal nanoparticle solutions,” Nano Lett.9(3), 1139–1146 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

• S. Merabia, S. Shenogin, L. Joly, P. Keblinski, and J. L. Barrat, “Heat transfer from nanoparticles: a corresponding state analysis,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.106(36), 15113–15118 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Science

• M. U. Kopp, A. J. Mello, and A. Manz, “Chemical amplification: continuous-flow PCR on a chip,” Science280(5366), 1046–1048 (1998). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Small

• H. Chen, L. Shao, T. Ming, Z. Sun, C. Zhao, B. Yang, and J. Wang, “Understanding the photothermal conversion efficiency of gold nanocrystals,” Small6(20), 2272–2280 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• B. Jang, Y. S. Kim, and Y. Choi, “Effects of gold nanorod concentration on the depth-related temperature increase during hyperthermic ablation,” Small7(2), 265–270 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• J.-T. Wang, J. Wang, and J.-J. Han, “Fabrication of advanced particles and particle-based materials assisted by droplet-based microfluidics,” Small7(13), 1728–1754 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

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