Fabrication of amine-functionalized acrylic monoliths via thermally induced phase separation and their application for separation media

This study deals with fabrication of amine-functionalized acrylic monoliths and their application for separation media. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (PGMA) monoliths with three-dimensional interconnected porous structure were prepared by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) using cosolvent system, and subsequent aminolysis of oxirane groups produced amine-functionalized acrylic monoliths. The porous structure and specific surface area of the monoliths were dependent on the molecular weight of PGMA. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was effectively adsorbed on the monoliths by electrostatic interaction, and the binding capacity was enhanced with an increase in the surface area of the monoliths. Furthermore, the amine-functionalized monoliths released BSA by washing with high salt concentration solution. These results demonstrated a potential of the amine-functionalized monoliths prepared by TIPS method for rapid separation and analysis of biomolecules.