Applications of polydimethylsiloxane in analytical chemistry: A review

Silicones have innumerable applications in many areas of life. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which belongs to the class of silicones, has been extensively used in the field of analytical chemistry owing to its favourable physicochemical properties. The use of PDMS in analytical chemistry gained importance with its application as a stationary phase in gas chromatographic separations. Since then it has been used in many sample preparation techniques such as solid phase microextraction (SPME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), thin-film extraction, permeation passive sampling, etc. Further, it is gaining importance in the manufacturing of lab-on-a-chip devices, which have revolutionized bio-analysis. Applications of devices containing PDMS and used in the field of analytical chemistry are reviewed in this paper.

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► Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has numerous applications in analytical chemistry.
► Sorptive properties of PDMS are used primarily in sampling.
► Partitioning properties are used in separations.
► Permeability of PDMS forms the basis for sample introduction and passive sampling.
► Advantageous mechanical properties are used in lab-on-a-chip devices.