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A thermal expulsion approach to homogeneous large‐volume methacrylate monolith preparation; Enabling large‐scale rapid purification of biomolecules
Author(s) -
Danquah Michael K.,
Ho Jenny,
Forde Gareth M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.28346
Subject(s) - monolith , monomer , polymerization , materials science , methacrylate , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , thermal decomposition , polymer , chemistry , composite material , catalysis , organic chemistry , engineering
Numerous efforts have been dedicated to the synthesis of large‐volume methacrylate monoliths for large‐scale biomolecules purification but most were obstructed by the enormous release of exotherms during preparation, thereby introducing structural heterogeneity in the monolith pore system. A significant radial temperature gradient develops along the monolith thickness, reaching a terminal temperature that supersedes the maximum temperature required for structurally homogenous monoliths preparation. The enormous heat build‐up is perceived to encompass the heat associated with initiator decomposition and the heat released from free radical‐monomer and monomer–monomer interactions. The heat resulting from the initiator decomposition was expelled along with some gaseous fumes before commencing polymerization in a gradual addition fashion. Characteristics of 80 mL monolith prepared using this technique was compared with that of a similar monolith synthesized in a bulk polymerization mode. An extra similarity in the radial temperature profiles was observed for the monolith synthesized via the heat expulsion technique. A maximum radial temperature gradient of only 4.3°C was recorded at the center and 2.1°C at the monolith peripheral for the combined heat expulsion and gradual addition technique. The comparable radial temperature distributions obtained birthed identical pore size distributions at different radial points along the monolith thickness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008