Printed conductive features for DNA chip applications prepared on PET without sintering

Abstract

We present here an innovative and cheap alternative for the preparation of conductive tracks printed on flexible polymer substrates at room temperature. For this purpose, we applied a combination of a Tollens reagent-based silver deposition and printed mask, using an office laser printer. The as-prepared conductive structures were used for DNA chip fabrication. The great advantage of the presented method is that the conductive features can be fabricated in a facile and inexpensive way, while maintaining the high flexibility to tailor the design to its application. The DNA chips showed the same response as well as sensitivity compared to chips made conventionally by photolithography or screen printing.