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Elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane polymer on conductive interdigitated electrode for analyzing skin hydration dynamics

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Abstract

With an approach towards generating a wearable skin hydration detecting system, simple, cheap, and flexible skin hydration sensing strategy was demonstrated here using an interdigitated electrode (IDE) coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. Aluminium IDE with a 400 µm gap and 250 µm electrode sizes were fabricated using a photolithography method. Morphological characterizations were performed using a high power microscope, 3D-profilometer, and scanning electron microscope. The dimensions of electrodes and gaps measured through electron microscopic analysis affirmed the exactness of IDE and the fabrication process. After coated with PDMS polymer, the IDE/PDMS surface was examined under a high power microscope and 3D-profilometer. The optical characterization revealed the polymer was coated on IDE through the color-shade changes and smooth surface observed under an optical microscope and the respective 3D-visualization. IDE/PDMS was also analyzed by an atomic force microscope, revealing the smoothness of the IDE surface. Electrical characterizations were performed using different pH and urea solutions and the sweat to investigate the influence of real-time and artificial sweat on IDE/PDMS. As the device showed appropriate results with real-time sweat and no effect with artificial interferences, it is highly encouraged and recommended for detecting skin hydration and the related illnesses with the point-of-care concept.

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Acknowledgement

This work is partly supported by the Ministry of Education Malaysia under the fundamental research grant scheme (FRGS/1/2018/TK04/UNIMAP/02/28), Government of Malaysia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 01000, Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia

    Santheraleka Ramanathan & Subash C. B. Gopinath

  2. Advanced Communication Engineering (ACE) Centre of Excellence, School of Computer and Communication Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Campus Pauh Putra, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    M. Jusoh, T. Sabapathy, M. N. Yasin, H. ARahim & M. N. Osman

  3. School of Microelectronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Campus Pauh Putra, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    M. N. Yasin

  4. School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    Subash C. B. Gopinath

  5. Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Office, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Y. Abdul Wahab

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  1. Santheraleka Ramanathan
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  2. M. Jusoh
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  3. T. Sabapathy
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  5. Subash C. B. Gopinath
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Correspondence to M. Jusoh.

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Ramanathan, S., Jusoh, M., Sabapathy, T. et al. Elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane polymer on conductive interdigitated electrode for analyzing skin hydration dynamics. Appl. Phys. A 126, 756 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-020-03933-4

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