Hello!
I am trying to make soft litography (microcontact printing) using a stamp made of a photocurable elastomer. I did several sucsessful experiments transerring biopolymers from the elastomer to a glass coverslip. However, after ~10 experiments the microcontact printing procedure became fruitless. I suppose that the stamp surface became dirty and now I am trying to clean it.
The elastomer that I use is called Colop VX55, and after curing it is similar to PDMS. Previously I used to clean the stamp in an ultrasonic bath, but maybe it is not enough? Maybe I should clean it by glow discharge or ozone? How do you usually clean PDMS
Hello Dmitry Bagrov ,
My first suggestion would be the wonder that is "Scotch" tape. This works really well. After this I would just rinse with ethanol/IPA.
I am not familiar with Colop VX55, but with PDMS you have to be careful with soaking for extended durations as the PDMS will slowly absorb the solvent and often swell.
You could also look at a short oxygen plasma or UV-Ozone treatment. You need to be careful you do not excessively damage the stamp nor make it brittle.
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