Poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate-co-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) monoliths synthesized by radiation polymerization in a mold

Copolymer monoliths of diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl-acrylate were prepared by using the advantage of radiation initiated polymerization over the thermally initiated polymerization, namely, that it is sufficient to use only a monomer and a porogenic solvent and no initiator is needed. Besides, the reaction can take place at any desired temperature in a mold of suitable size and shape. sults showed that increase of the HEA content in the comonomer mixture (up to 18 vol%) resulted in monoliths with increased pore size and hydrophilic character. The specific surface area of these monoliths was in the order of 1 m2/g. The porous properties could be fine-tuned by changing the solvent. ate measurements for several eluents indicated that these monoliths could be useful as chromatographic columns. This is illustrated by separation of several amino acids.