(1047-D) Improved Biomolecular Analysis with Inert CVD Coating that Prevents Metal Interactions and Non-Specific Protein Binding
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Halls AB
Abstract: As separation, diagnostic, and purification techniques move toward higher sensitivity and higher throughput, the need for a robust yet inert fluid pathways has become more critical. A typical diagnostic or chromatography instrument is made from stainless steel, PEEK, and/or ceramic components. The steel in these systems will have active sites on the surface that require routine passivation or priming to be effective when analyzing reactive compounds, especially at low detection limits. Additionally, stainless steel is not favorable for biological analysis as the material is not considered “bio-inert”. Metal ions can also leach into the flow path causing issues. For instance, oligonucleotides can suffer oxidation or degradation, proteins can experience irreversible non-specific aggregation, fermentation processes result in lower yields all due to elevated concentrations of various metal ions. Titanium has historically been a preferred alternative to stainless steel in sensitive diagnostic and analytical systems, but the metal surface can still be a source of difficulties when analyzing metal active compounds. PEEK is often used as a bio-inert, metal free surface; however, there are pressure and machinability issues involved with this material.
Here we investigate a different approach that would allow the utilization of metal alloys while reducing the amount of metal that can interact with solution: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coated metal hardware. We investigate the amount of metal that leaches into water, methanol, and acetonitrile when in direct contact with stainless steel, titanium, MP35N and Hastelloy via ICP-MS. We also show how CVD coatings can bring the concentration of metals leached down to zero. Sample separations will be shown comparing the coated hardware to steel hardware for metal active compounds. Finally, the CVD coating's resistance to non-specific protein binding from a clinical diagnostic application will be demonstrated.