Downscaling limits and confinement effects in the miniaturization of porous polymer monoliths in narrow bore capillaries.

ABSTRACT: Monolithic poly(butyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) columns have been prepared in capillaries ranging in inner diameter from 5 to 75 microm using thermally initiated free-radical polymerization of a mixture of butyl methacrylate, ethylene dimethacrylate, and porogens at different temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy and the measurement of hydrodynamic properties reveal that the downward scalability of the monolithic columns is greatly affected by the confinement effect of the capillary wall resulting from the decreased volume-to-surface ratio as the capillary diameter is decreased. The downscaling process is affected most by the polymerization temperature, the diffusion of the propagating radicals, and the density of coverage of polymerizable groups on the inner walls of t

SUBMITTER: Nischang I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2773294 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature