Solid phase extraction membranes with submicron multifunctional adsorbent particles

European Polymer Journal, Volume 63, Feb 2015, Pages 90-100.

Tanja Tomković1, Filip Radovanović1, Aleksandra Nastasović1, Dana Vasiljević-Radović1, Jelena Marković2, Branimir Grgur3, Antonije Onjia2

  1.  University of Belgrade, Institute for Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Njegoševa 12, Belgrade, Serbia and
  2. University of Belgrade, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, P.O. Box 522, Serbia and
  3. University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, Belgrade, Serbia

 

Abstract

Asymmetric polyethersulfone membranes with submicron particles comprising crosslinked poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) were prepared by a combination of a traditional liquid phase inversion process for making membranes with photopolymerization and crosslinking of functional monomers included in the casting solution. Scanning electron microscope images of the membrane cross-section revealed a hybrid structure with an interconnected network of submicron particles embedded within the porous polyethersulfone support. Permeation of toluidine blue solutions through non-functionalized membranes showed a dramatic effect of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid concentration in the casting solution on the dynamic adsorption performance. The epoxide groups present in glycidyl methacrylate copolymer were transformed into amine functionalities by ring opening under alkaline conditions. Permeation of dilute Cu2+ solutions through functionalized membranes demonstrated that the plate height for some of these membranes was an order of magnitude smaller than for commercial particle-filled membranes used in solid phase extraction.

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Significance Statement

Functionalized porous membranes and filters loaded with adsorbent particles are often used for solid phase extraction or membrane chromatography applications. These materials are particularly useful for preconcentrating trace amounts of analytes or valuable biochemical components from large solution volumes. The main advantage of adsorbent membranes described in this paper is a significant improvement in dynamic adsorption performance over the commercial products. This improvement results from uniform distribution of submicron adsorbent particles and/or functional groups, which is not possible to achieve with traditional preparation methods (premixing of adsorbent particles or post-functionalization). Efficient dynamic adsorption leads to significant savings related to a reduction in hold-up volume, which minimizes the volume of eluent and increases the concentration factor.

Figure Legend

Left: SEM image (cross-section) of a porous membrane with multifunctional submicron particles made in situ

Right: Dynamic adsorption of 2 mg/L (green, full) and 5 mg/L (red,dashed) Cu2+ solution permeated through a 90 um-thick membrane.

 Solid phase extraction membranes with submicron multifunctional adsorbent particles. Advances In Engineering

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