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.sub.2 and having a high-surface energy of .gtoreq.100 milli-joules/m.sup.2 for removing organic compounds. The method can stabilize the surface chemistry and prolong the useful life of the coated substrate.