Anti-degradation mechanisms for protecting aminated surfaces

Abstract

A device and methods for either protecting or restoring the delicate surface chemistry of amine-coated substrates adapted for biological assay uses from the deleterious effects of exposure to carbon dioxide and/or organic chemical compounds, which may arise in packaging or storage containers is provided. The device encompasses an enclosure, preferably hermetically sealed, a component susceptible to degradation from either carbon dioxide or organic compounds, and a sorbent, having a composition made from either a single material or a combination of materials, said material is characterized as being reactive with CO 2 and having a high-surface energy of ≧100 milli-joules/m 2 for removing organic compounds. The method can stabilize the surface chemistry and prolong the useful life of the coated substrate.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A device comprising an enclosure, a component susceptible to degradation from either carbon dioxide or organic compounds, and a sorbent, having a composition made from either a single material or a combination of materials, said material is characterized as being reactive with CO 2  and having a high-surface energy of ≧100 milli-joules/m 2  for removing organic compounds from within said enclosure.  
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said sorbent material is adapted to absorb residue CO 2  in hermetic packages to levels below 1 part per billion (ppb), over a temperature range from about −40° C., through ambient room temperature, to about 500° C.  
   
   
       21 . An object for containing an amine-coated inorganic substrate, the device comprising: 
 a) a hermetically sealable container, and    b) a sorbent for removing trace amounts of carbon dioxide and organic compounds from within said container, wherein the sorbent includes any one or a combination of CaO, MgO, or ZnO.    
   
   
       22 . The package according to  claim 21 , wherein said sorbent is either in a filter bag or a kind of receptacle that permits air to flow through.  
   
   
       23 . A hermetically sealed transport and storage package comprising: 
 a sealed enclosure in which there is an atmosphere and a component adapted for performing a biological or biochemical assay, said component characterized as being adversely affected by the presence of gaseous CO 2 , organic components, or other impurities in said atmosphere; and    a chemisorbent material having a composition made from either a single material or a combination of materials, said material being reactive with CO 2  and having a high-surface energy of ≧100 milli-joules/m 2  for removing organic compounds from within said enclosure    
   
   
       24 . The package according to  claim 23 , wherein said getter material can absorb residue CO 2  in hermetic packages to levels below 1 part per billion (ppb), over a temperature range from about −40° C., through ambient room temperature, to about 500° C.