title: Porous double-layer polymer tubing for the potential use in heterogeneous continuous flow reactions.
abstract: Functional polymer tubing with an OD of 1/16 or 1/8 in. was fabricated by a simple polymer coextrusion process. The tubing was made of an outer impervious polypropylene layer and an inner layer, consisting of a blend of a functional polymer, polyethylene-co-methacrylic acid, and a sacrificial polymer, polystyrene. After a simple solvent leaching step using common organic solvents, the polystyrene was removed, leaving behind a porous inner layer that contains functional carboxylic acid groups, which could then be used for the immobilization of target molecules. Solution-phase reactions using amines or isocyanates have proven successful for the immobilization of a series of small molecules and polymers. This flexible multilayered functional tubing can be easily cut to the desired length and connected via standard microfluidic fittings.
authors.affiliation: Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO , Bag 10, Clayton South, Victoria 3169, Australia.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Herwig
authors.forename: Christian H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hornung
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ebdon
authors.forename: G Paul
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Savage
keywords: flow chemistry; functional tubing; heterogeneous catalysis; polymer extrusion; porous polymer matrix