Polymeric Substrates with Covalently Attached Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Functionalized membranes used in biopharmaceutical processes have limited biomaterial binding capacities, hindering their use in large-scale purifications, and existing methods for attaching polymeric materials to substrates are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Development of solid polymeric substrates with covalently attached polymeric chains containing acid or basic groups, formed through a process involving thiocarbonylthio-containing groups acting as iniferters for polymerization reactions, allowing controlled molecular weight and enhanced biomaterial binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If functionalized membranes are used for biomaterial binding, then membrane-based separation is achieved, but biomaterial binding capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by attaching polymeric chains to the membrane substrate, creating a hierarchical structure where the membrane contains embedded polymeric chains that contain binding groups. This nested arrangement allows the binding groups to be distributed throughout the membrane volume rather than just on the surface, significantly increasing the binding capacity without increasing the membrane area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining membrane substrate with attached polymeric chains. The composite structure integrates the mechanical properties of the membrane with the binding capabilities of the polymeric chains, achieving both structural integrity and enhanced biomaterial binding capacity simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If polymeric materials are attached to substrate using conventional methods, then functionalization is achieved, but the attachment process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first introducing hydrophobic groups to the membrane substrate before attaching the polymeric chains. This pre-modification creates favorable attachment conditions that simplify the subsequent polymeric chain attachment process, making it more efficient and less complex than conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the hydrophobicity parameter of the membrane surface through the introduction of hydrophobic groups. This parameter modification optimizes the interaction between the membrane and polymeric chains, enabling more efficient attachment with simpler process conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If polymeric chains are attached to increase binding capacity, then biomaterial binding improves, but molecular weight control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the molecular weight of attached polymeric chains through selection of specific monomers and control of polymerization conditions. This allows precise adjustment of the polymeric chain length and consequently the binding capacity, achieving both high binding capacity and molecular weight control.
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
The approach enables improved biomaterial binding capacities and controlled molecular weight of polymeric chains, enhancing the efficiency of biomaterial separation and purification processes.
Implementation Method 1
generating free radicals on a surface of the solid polymeric substrate to form a treated substrate... reacting the free radicals of the treated substrate with a fluid comprising a thiocarbonylthio-containing compound to bond a plurality of thiocarbonylthio-containing groups directly and covalently to a polymeric backbone
Implementation Method 2
exposing the reaction mixture to actinic radiation and forming a polymeric chain directly and covalently attached to a carbon atom in a polymeric backbone... the polymeric chains being a polymerized product of the radically polymerizable monomer composition
Implementation Method 3
exposing the reaction mixture to actinic radiation and forming a polymeric chain directly and covalently attached to a carbon atom in a polymeric backbone
Data Source
AI summary
Articles with covalently attached thiocarbonylthio-containing groups are provided. More specifically, the articles include a solid polymeric substrate with a plurality of thiocarbonylthio-containing groups covalently attached directly to a carbon atom in a polymeric backbone of the solid polymeric substrate. Methods of making the articles with covalently attached thiocarbonylthio-containing are provided. Additionally, methods of using these articles to generate further articles with covalently attached polymeric chains are provided.