Monolithic HPLC columns have emerged over the recent decades as an attractive alternative to conventional HPLC columns packed with particles. While there are a wide variety of techniques providing porous polymer monoliths, it is well established that one of the limiting factors in preparing polymer monoliths with good separation performance is the degree of bed heterogeneity. One of the most common methods towards producing porous polymers is through the mechanism known as polymerisation-induced phase separation (PIPS). While the PIPS method is technically simple and allows for control over the materials pore size distribution (only in upper macropore range, d<sub>p</sub> 〉 200 nm), it does not address the issues of structure heterogeneity.<br/>This presentation will report the synthesis of porous polymer monoliths by controlled radical polymerization. This approach consists of using a chain transfer agent (CTA) which provides control over polymerisation kinetics, scaffold morphology and surface functionality. The effect of CTA agent type and concentration, percentage of crosslinker monomer and type of solvent on the morphology of the resulting porous materials was investigated. Application of these materials for high performance separation of proteins and peptides will also be demonstrated.

Preparation and characterization of mesoporous polymer-based monolithic columns by controlled radical polymerization

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.