Linear polymer separation using carbon-nanotube-modified centrifugal filter units.
The separation of linear polymers such as polysaccharides and polyethylene glycol was performed with modified commercial centrifugal filter units. The deposition of a 0.16-0.35 μm layer of modified carbon nanotubes prevented permeation of linear polymers of molecular weight higher than 20 000 Da through the membrane. It allowed facile purification of solution of 0.1 g of polymer samples from small molecules within 25 min by using a bench-top centrifuge. The structure of modified carbon nanotubes was optimized in order to achieve good adhesion to the low binding regenerated cellulose surface and low solubility in aqueous solutions after deposition. The best modification of carbon nanotubes was oxidation and subsequent amide formation of diethanolamine. Introduction of acetic acid groups using sodium chloroacetate worked equally well. The modified filter could be used multiple times without the decrease of the efficiency. The carbon nanotubes layer was stable in aqueous solutions in a pH range of 1-7. The proposed method provides a convenient way of purification of modified polymers in research areas such as drug delivery or macromolecular probes synthesis.
Department of Chemical Organic Technology and Petrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland.
Tomasz
T
Krawczyk
Department of Chemical Organic Technology and Petrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland.
Karolina
K
Marian
Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland.
Mirosława
M
Pawlyta
D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000379:methods*; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008970:Molecular Weight; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D012996:Solutions; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000085:Acetates; D003911:Dextrans; D004983:Ethanolamines; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C006972:chloroacetic acid; D002244:Carbon; D002482:Cellulose; C020283:diethanolamine; D010100:Oxygen
Carbon nanotubes; Centrifugal filtration; Nanofiltration; Polyethylene glycol; Polysaccharides