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Fabrication of Polymer Microspheres for Optical Resonator and Laser Applications
Published on: June 2, 2017
Narrowly dispersed molecularly imprinted microspheres prepared by a modified precipitation polymerization method
Yuan Jin1, Ming Jiang, Yun Shi
1School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
Analytica Chimica Acta
|March 12, 2008
Summary
A novel modified precipitation polymerization (MPP) method creates uniform molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres without stabilizers. This technique offers enhanced binding capabilities for chromatography applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are crucial for selective separation and sensing.
- Traditional synthesis methods often require stabilizers, surfactants, and significant porogen amounts.
- Developing efficient, stabilizer-free MIP synthesis is essential for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a modified precipitation polymerization (MPP) method for producing narrowly dispersed MIP microspheres.
- To investigate the influence of porogen composition and reaction conditions on microsphere morphology and binding capability.
- To evaluate the performance of MPP-synthesized MIPs as sorbents in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Main Methods:
- Developed a stabilizer- and surfactant-free modified precipitation polymerization (MPP) method.
- Utilized small amounts of porogen (approx. 50 wt.%) including alkane/toluene mixtures.
- Investigated factors like alkane carbon number, porogen solubility parameter, and reaction temperature.
Main Results:
- MPP successfully produced nearly monodisperse microspheres (2-3 micrometers) using mineral oil:toluene (2:3) as porogen.
- Particle morphology was controllable via porogen composition, specifically alkane carbon number and solubility parameter.
- Microspheres synthesized at lower temperatures exhibited superior binding capabilities.
- MPP-derived MIPs showed comparable selectivity and enhanced binding capacity versus classical methods for bisphenol A, estradiol, and tebuconazole.
Conclusions:
- MPP is an effective stabilizer-free method for synthesizing uniform MIP microspheres.
- Key factors for controlling morphology include porogen properties and reaction temperature.
- Photoinitiation and low reaction temperatures significantly enhance the binding capability of MPP-synthesized MIPs for HPLC applications.
