Regeneration of glass nanofluidic chips through a multiple-step sequential thermochemical decomposition process at high temperatures

Due to the lack of regeneration methods, the reusability of nanofluidic chips is a significant technical challenge impeding the efficient and economic promotion of both fundamental research and practical applications on nanofluidics. Herein, a simple method for the total regeneration of glass nanofluidic chips was described. The method consists of sequential thermal treatment with six well-designed steps, which correspond to four sequential thermal and thermochemical decomposition processes, namely, dehydration, high-temperature redox chemical reaction, high-temperature gasification, and cooling. The method enabled the total regeneration of typical 'dead' glass nanofluidic chips by eliminating physically clogged nanoparticles in the nanochannels, removing chemically reacted organic matter on the glass surface and regenerating permanent functional surfaces of dissimilar materials localized in the nanochannels. The method provides a technical solution to significantly improve the reusability of glass nanofluidic chips and will be useful for the promotion and acceleration of research and applications on nanofluidics.