Composite Porous Polymers Using Thermoplastic Supports

Porous polymers, in the form of particles and monoliths, have gained acceptance for a variety of applications in both purification technologies and the analytical sciences. In high performance ion and liquid chromatography, porous polymers are used as stationary phases and sample pretreatment. The diversity of the synthetic routes to produce porous polymers, allows for a broad range of formats, chemical functionalities, porosities and surface areas.

Chris Pohl’s interest in porous polymers spans more than four decades. One of his recent inventions, the “FishingPohl”, involved taking advantage of the shrinkage property of organic monomers when polymerized. Shrinkage during the polymerization process allowed attachment of the porous polymer to an inert support. The porous polymer-coated inert support (Pohl) could then be immersed in a sample to extract (fish) select analytes. After initial work using solid supports (PEEK, PE or stainless-steel rods), sintered thermoplastics were evaluated as an encapsulation support for the porous polymers. This approach allowed for greater mass loading of the porous polymer phase and increased access of the liquid sample to the porous polymer coating.

In this presentation, the synthesis and properties of these unique, composite porous polymers coated sintered thermoplastics will be reviewed. Applications for of these materials for aqueous sample pretreatment will be shown.