(217cp) Synthesis of Pnipam Microparticles With Novel Fiber Packed Reactor for Use in Hydrogels

Nanocomposite hydrogels are an innovative tool in the field of protein separations. Droplet-based microfluidic techniques have been used to produce monodisperse micro- or nano-particles of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) or PNIPAM.  The PNIPAM itself is a thermoresponsive polymer often cited for use in drug delivery and in hydrogel formulations for novel separations.  PNIPAM goes through a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase change at around 32 degrees Celsius. When heated, the microparticles shrink in volume by a measureable amount, allowing the size of the pores they leave behind to be known. Given the commercial potential of such microparticles, we have modified a fiber-filled plug flow reactor to produce these particles continuously in significant quantities.  Experimental reactor parameters are discussed and their effect on polydispersity of the particle size. If monodisperse microparticles can be obtained, hydrogels can be created with a more consistent structure, which should allow for better control of protein separations.