Synthesis of penetrable poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) microsphere and its HPLC application in protein separation

In the present study, the narrow-dispersed penetrable poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (poly(MAA-co-EDMA)) microspheres were successfully synthesized based on the sacrificial support method. The poly(MAA-co-EDMA) microspheres mirrored the porous structure of the sacrificial support, i.e. penetrable silica, characteristic of copious mesopores and throughpores. In addition, they possessed large surface area, adjustable hydrophobicity and the cation-exchange ability. Owing to their multi functionalities, they were applied as chromatographic stationary phase to separate proteins in different separation modes, including reversed phase, hydrophobic interaction and weak cation exchange. Moreover, thanks to their throughpores, fast separation at low column backpressure could be achieved in these three modes. Both protein recovery and column stability were satisfactory. The penetrable poly(MAA-co-EDMA) microspheres were potential stationary phase matrix for fast protein separation.