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Preparation of Highly Porous Coordination Polymer Coatings on Macroporous Polymer Monoliths for Enhanced Enrichment of Phosphopeptides
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Hierarchically Structured Functionalized Polymer Monoliths Via Two-Photon Polymerization for Miniaturized HPLC
Tobias Drieschner1, Tobias Werres2, Martin Klassen2
1Lehr- und Forschungszentrum Process Analysis and Technology (LFZ PA&T), Reutlingen University, Alteburgstrasse 150, 72762Reutlingen, Germany.
Analytical Chemistry
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Additive manufacturing enables 3D printing of unique polymer monoliths for miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC) systems. These novel materials offer enhanced control over pore structure for improved reversed-phase chromatographic separations.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC) systems offer advantages but face adoption challenges.
- Conventional polymer monolith synthesis limits independent control over macropore and mesopore structures.
- Hierarchical porous materials are desirable for advanced chromatographic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop hierarchically structured, functionalized polymer monoliths using additive manufacturing.
- To apply these monoliths as stationary phases in miniaturized reversed-phase chromatography.
- To demonstrate independent control over macropore geometry and mesoporosity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-photon polymerization 3D printing to create CAD-designed Schoen gyroid macroporous structures.
- Developed a photoresin formulation with a porogenic solvent for mesopore induction and hydrophobic monomers for reversed-phase functionality.
- Characterized monoliths using scanning electron microscopy and nano-computed tomography.
- Integrated the monolith into a microfluidic system for chromatographic separations.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated hierarchically structured polymer monoliths with tunable macropore and mesopore characteristics.
- Demonstrated the effectiveness of the 3D-printed monoliths as reversed-phase stationary phases.
- Achieved chromatographic separation of nonpolar analytes like naphthalene and fluoranthene.
Conclusions:
- Additive manufacturing provides a versatile platform for creating advanced polymer monoliths for chromatography.
- Hierarchically structured functionalized polymer monoliths are applicable as efficient stationary phases in miniaturized LC.
- This approach overcomes limitations of conventional synthesis, enabling tailored material design for specific separation needs.
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