Ion-Exchange Composition with Irreversible Dispersant Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ion-exchange chromatography methods require functionalization of resin support particles and fine layering particles through electrostatic methods, which can be time-consuming and limit the reproducibility and efficiency of chromatographic results, especially in high-performance liquid chromatography.

Innovation Solution

A method involving neutral vinyl polymer support particles irreversibly bound to a dispersant with ionizable sites that are un-ionized at neutral pH but ionized under highly basic or acidic conditions, allowing for electrostatic binding with fine layering particles to form a support particle-dispersant-fine layering particle complex, enhancing the attachment and preventing agglomeration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrostatic methods are used to functionalize resin support particles and fine layering particles, then ion-exchange chromatography can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and reproducibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereproducibility of chromatographic resultsVSAvoidtime required for functionalization process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dispersant is pre-attached to the resin support particles during the polymerization process itself, before the ion-exchange functionalization step. This preliminary attachment eliminates the need for subsequent functionalization of support particles, reducing the overall process time while ensuring consistent, reproducible results through controlled initial attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dispersant acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the resin support particles and fine layering particles. By providing a pre-formed attachment mechanism during polymerization, it simplifies the overall process and improves reproducibility by eliminating variable functionalization steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If resin support particles are lightly sulfonated to create electrostatic attachment capability, then fine layering particles can be attached, but the attachment may be reversible and less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of particle attachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of functionalization process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using reversible electrostatic attachment through light sulfonation, the invention converts the polymerization process itself into a beneficial mechanism for irreversible attachment. The dispersant becomes covalently bound to the support particles during polymerization, creating permanent, stable attachment that eliminates the reversibility issue of electrostatic methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of attachment mechanism from reversible electrostatic forces to irreversible covalent bonding. This parameter change occurs through the polymerization process, where the dispersant becomes chemically integrated into the support particle structure, providing stable, permanent attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If dispersant is used to maintain separate particles during polymerization, then particle agglomeration is prevented, but additional process steps are required for attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle size uniformityVSAvoidnumber of process steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two separate functions into one integrated process: the dispersant both maintains particle separation during polymerization AND becomes permanently attached to the support particles. This combination eliminates the need for separate attachment steps, reducing process complexity while maintaining particle size uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispersant performs multiple functions: it acts as a polymerization initiator, maintains particle separation during the reaction, and becomes a permanent part of the support particle structure. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for separate functionalization steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in improved chromatographic performance with longer run times and increased capacity for ion-exchange chromatography, particularly effective for polarizable ions and macromolecules like proteins or DNA, while being compatible with conventional electrostatic latex coating methods.

Implementation Method 1

the dispersant includes the ionized sites. The dispersant ionized sites electrostatically bind to a portion of the fine particle ion-exchanging sites to produce a support particle-dispersant-fine layering particle complex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic binding: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP3124117B1An ion-exchange composition comprising a complex of support particles, dispersant, and electrostatically bound layering particles
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 DIONEX CORP
  • EP3124117B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3124117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3124117B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ion-exchange composition suitable for use in ion exchange chromatography, comprising neutral vinyl polymer support particles irreversibly bound to a dispersant having ionizable sites which are un-ionized at a neutral pH and which are ionized under highly acidic or highly basic conditions, and fine layering particles functionalized with ionexchanging sites on the surfaces thereof. A portion of the ionizable sites are ionized and bound electrostatically to a portion of the fine layering particles ion-exchanging sites, producing a support particle-dispersant-fine layering particle complex.