Preparation of thermo- and redox-responsive branched polymers composed of three-armed oligo(ethylene glycol)

We herein report the preparation of thermo- and redox-responsive branched polymers by the condensation reaction of three-armed oligo(ethylene glycol) (trisOEG) and cystamine (CA). The prepared branched polymers exhibited a soluble–insoluble transition at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and formed coacervate droplets through a liquid–liquid phase separation process. We then demonstrated control of the LCSTs of the branched polymers by varying the feed ratio of CA and the surrounding salt concentration close to body temperature. In addition, the trisOEG-cys _x polymer formed coacervate droplets above the LCST, in which hydrophobic molecules were condensed. The redox response of the branched polymers was also investigated. Interestingly, the branched polymers degraded to low-molecular-weight materials (i.e., trisOEG) in the presence of dithiothereitol as a reducing agent through cleavage of the disulfide bond of CA. This facile preparation of branched polymers is expected to be valuable in the context of functional biomedical materials and modifiers for materials surfaces, such as the bases for drug delivery carriers and separation materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2623–2629     

Efficient purification of high‐purity compounds from the stem of Lonicera japonica Thunb using two‐dimensional preparative chromatography

Purification of high‐purity compounds from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) plays an important role in investigating their bioactivity. Nevertheless, it is often quite difficult to isolate compounds with high purity because of the complexity of TCMs in chemical composition. In this work, a two‐dimensional preparation method was successfully developed for the preparation of high‐purity compounds from the stem of Lonicera japonica Thunb, based on two novel polar copolymerized RP stationary phases, XAqua C3 and XAqua C18. An XAqua C3 prep column was used to separate the sample in the first‐dimensional preparation, and 14 g of sample was fractionated into eight fractions with a recovery of 82%. An XAqua C18 prep column was selected to prepare high‐purity compounds in the second‐dimensional preparation for its good orthogonality with the XAqua C3 stationary phase. As a result, major compounds in the sample were isolated with more than 99% purity. This method is a potent method to realize the efficient purification of compounds with high purity from the stem of L. japonica Thunb and it shows great potential in the separation of high‐purity compounds from complex samples.     

Revealing the effect of oligo(ethylene glycol) side chains on n-doping process in FBDPPV-based polymers

The low doping efficiency of n-doped systems limits the development of n-type organic conducting materials. Oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) as the flexible chain in conjugated small molecules and polymers may improve doping efficiency. However, OEG side chains also bring unexpected low mobility and poor film morphology. Herein, we propose the stronger solution-state aggregation plays a dominated role in charge transport and morphology of OEG-substituted polymer. The solution-state aggregation also affects doping process. Therefore, we develop a series of polymers based on 3,7-bis((E)-7-fluoro-1-(2-octyldodecyl)-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-3,7-dihydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']difuran-2,6-dione (FBDPPV) with different ratios of OEG side chain to investigate the effect of side chain on solution-state aggregation and n-doping process. After n-doped by hexahydro-1H,3a1H,4H,7H-3a,6a,9a-triazaphenalene (TAM), FBDPPV with 50% OEG affords the highest doping efficiency and conductivity, while FBDPPV with 100% OEG shows lower conductivity. Combination of ultraviolet–visible–near infrared absorption spectra, grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy, we reveal that serious aggregated extent in solution of OEG-substituted polymer result in phase separation and rough morphology, which are the origins of poor conductivity. Our work provides a new perspective on the effect of the OEG side chain on the doped polymer systems, suggesting suitable solution-state aggregation is crucial to high doping efficiency and high conductivity.     

(Co)polymers of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates—temperature‐induced aggregation in aqueous solution

The synthesis and aggregation behavior of well‐defined thermosensitive (co)polymers of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates (POEGMA) in aqueous solutions were investigated. The cloud points of the POEGMAs solutions were determined by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering. For POEGMA (co)polymers the cloud point temperature (T_CP) increased linearly with increasing content of more hydrophilic comonomer. The mesoglobules formed by POEGMAs in dilute aqueous solutions above T_CP were studied by light scattering. The size of mesoglobules depended on the concentration and the heating procedures. The aggregates became smaller with decreasing initial concentration of polymer and increasing rates of temperature change. By selecting the proper heating and dilution procedures, the influence of the (co)polymer structure on the size of the mesoglobules could be determined. The size of the mesoglobules decreased with the length of the OEG side chains and increased with increasing content of more hydrophilic comonomer. The light scattering parameters of the mesoglobules—A₂ values and shape factors ${R_{\rm g}\over R_{\rm h}}$ —suggested that the hydrophilic OEG side chains placed at the periphery of the mesoglobules in direct contact with the surrounding water controlled the size of mesoglobules and their stability. Shape factors for all POEGMA mesoglobules indicated that the mesoglobules remained highly hydrated after formation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Purification of polar compounds from Radix isatidis using conventional C18 column coupled with polar-copolymerized C18 column

Regarding hydrophilic interaction chromatography and normal phase liquid chromatography, RPLC is another choice used to separate polar compounds with the improvement of polar-modified C18 stationary phase. In this study, a method using conventional C18 column coupled with polar-copolymerized C18 column was successfully developed for the separation and purification of polar compounds from Radix isatidis, which is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). An XTerra MS C18 column was used to fractionate the extract of R. isatidis and a homemade polar-copolymerized C18 column was utilized for the final purification due to its good separation selectivity and high resolution for polar compounds. The established purification system demonstrated good orthogonality for the polar compounds. As a result, ten compounds were purified and three of them were identified as 3-methyl-5-vinyloxazolidin-2-one (compound A), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (compound B) and 3-methylfuran-2-carboxylic acid (compound G) based on the MS, IR and extensive NMR data, respectively. It was demonstrated to be a feasible and powerful technique for the purification of polar compounds under RPLC mode and more chemical information of TCMs will be obtained to interpret the efficiency of TCMs.     

Selective enrichment with “click oligo (ethylene glycol)” column and TOF–MS characterization of simple phenylpropanoids in the fruits of Forsythia suspensa

To separate samples of complex natural products, highly efficient and selective separation methods should be developed. Herein, a selective enrichment method was developed to separate Forsythia suspensa components with “click oligo (ethylene glycol)” (OEG) column in reversed phase (RP) mode. In this method, F. suspensa aqueous extract was successfully separated. And three fractions with structure‐related compounds were obtained. Fraction I mainly consisted of C₆–C₂ natural alcohols and glycosides, fraction II mostly consisted of lignans, and fraction III mainly consisted of simple phenylpropanoids (SP). Then, the three fractions were separated with ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Four more lignans were observed in fraction II, and eight more SP were observed in fraction III than that without OEG column. Fraction III was successively characterized by TOF–MS, 2 acids (caffeic acid and chlorogenetic acid), 26 SP with caffeoyl, and 2 SP with coumaroyl were characterized. The results prove that a valid method has been developed to selectively enrich SP and lignans. And the method combined with UPLC can efficiently separate SP and lignans. Furthermore, the TOF–MS method is effective to confirm the substituents of SP.     

Libraries of methacrylic acid and oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate copolymers with LCST behavior

Homopolymers of methacrylic acid (MAA), monoethyleneglycol methyl ether methacrylate (MEOMA), diethyleneglycol methyl ether methacrylate (MEO₂MA), oligo(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA₄₇₅ and OEGMA₁₁₀₀) and oligo(ethyleneglycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (OEGEMA₂₄₆) were synthesized with various chain lengths via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The homopolymers of MAA, MEOMA and OEGMA₁₁₀₀ did not show any cloud point (CP) in the range of 0–100 °C, whereas at a pH value of 7, the CPs were found to be 20.6, 93.7, and 20.0 °C for p(MEO₂MA), p(OEGMA₄₇₅) and p(OEGEMA₂₄₆), respectively, with an initial monomer to initiator ratio of 50. Furthermore, statistical copolymer libraries of MAA with OEGMA₄₇₅ and OEGMA₁₁₀₀ were prepared. The cloud points of the random copolymers of MAA and OEGMA₄₇₅ were found to be in the range of 20–90 °C; surprisingly, even though the homopolymers of MAA and OEGMA₁₁₀₀ did not exhibit any LCST behavior, the copolymers of these monomers at certain molar ratios (up to 40% OEGMA₁₁₀₀) revealed a double responsive behavior for both temperature and pH. Finally, the cloud points were found to be in the range of 22–98 °C, measured at pH values of 2, 4, and 7, while no cloud point was detected at pH 10. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7138–7147, 2008     

聚二甲基丙烯酸乙二醇酯壁材微胶囊的制备及其表征

采用界面自由基聚合的方法,制备了以聚二甲基丙烯酸乙二醇酯(PEGDMA)为壁材,薄荷素油(DPO)与石蜡或者三辛癸酸甘油酯(GTCC)的混合物为芯材的微胶囊.微胶囊壁材是二甲基丙烯酸乙二醇酯(EGDMA)单体通过界面自由基聚合形成的高聚物PEGDMA.提出了该界面自由基聚合形成PEGDMA的机理过程.利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜探究了乳化剂类型、芯材组成和固化温度对微胶囊形貌的影响.用傅里叶红外光谱对微胶囊的化学结构进行了表征.利用紫外分光光度计测出了未被微胶囊包埋的芯材占总芯材的百分比(free oil).并用热重分析仪分析了微胶囊的热稳定性能,讨论了固化时间对微胶囊热性能的影响.结果表明,采用阿拉伯树胶为乳化剂,芯材组成为质量比M_(DPO)/M_(GTCC)=1∶1,在60℃下固化1 h,制备出的微胶囊为饱满的球形状,表面光滑.同时测得该体系中芯材的free oil为26.5 wt%.PEGDMA微胶囊在60℃固化温度下反应3 h,具有很好热稳定性,且固化温度升高能提高微胶囊的热稳定性.所制备的微胶囊无毒,在个人护理品和医药领域具有广泛的应用前景.     

Ion conductivity studies of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) complexed with LiCF3 SO3

Polymer electrolytes which are adhesive, transparent, and stable to atmospheric moisture have been prepared by blending poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) with poly(ethylene glycol)/LiCF₃ SO₃ complexes. The maximum ionic conductivities at room temperature were measured to be in the range of 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁵ s cm⁻¹. The clarity of the sample was improved as the graft degree increased for all the samples studied. The graft degree of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) was found to be important for the compatibility between the poly(methyl methacrylate) segments in poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and the added poly(ethylene glycol), and consequently, for the ion conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. These properties make them promising candidates for polymer electrolytes in electrochromic devices. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Water-soluble polyesters from long chain alkylesters of citric acid and poly(ethylene glycol)

Long chain aliphatic alcohols have been used as model compounds to develop a preparative method for a water-soluble material, which could be a carrier for triacontanol, a highly hydrophobic plant growth regulator. New polyesters from long chain aliphatic (C = 12, 18 and 22) mono-1-alkyl citrates and poly(ethylene glycol) were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The polyester containing the triacontyl moiety was obtained from mono-1-triacontyl citrate, which was synthesized from the corresponding alcohol extracted from the Agave fourcroydes. The molecular weight of the polyesters depends on experimental conditions during synthesis such as reaction time, atmosphere, catalyst concentration and temperature. The reaction is second order in the early stage of the polyester synthesis. The reaction rate constant is independent of the length of the aliphatic chain, but it decreases with increasing of the poly(ethylene glycol) employed. Turbidity measurements have been used to study the polyester solubility. Solubility characteristics were found to depend on the of poly(ethylene glycol), the aliphatic-chain length and the value of for the polyester. These preparations could potentially be used to release triacontanol.     

PEG／PED-g-CB化学敏电阻材料的制备及其气敏性能的研究

以不同分子量聚乙二醇(PEG)为基体，PEG接枝改性的炉法炭黑(PEG-g-CB)为导电裁流子，采用溶液分散工艺制得一种新鞭的气敏传感器材料。研究了PEG分子量对接枝率及对各种溶剂蒸气的响应性、响应灵敏度的影响；用透射电子显微镜(TEM)和紫外—可见分光光度计考察了两种炭黑粒子分散行为、袁面特性差异及其对响应重复性、稳定性的影响。结果表明，PEG／PEG-g-CB复合材料化学敏电阻体对其良溶剂蒸气如THF、氯仿、丙酮具有很强的响应性，其电阻值可提高到初始电阻的10^4～10^6倍。将这种材料再放入干燥空气中时，电阻又恢复到初始值；而对其不良溶剂如正己烷、甲苯几乎不响应。随PEG分子量的提高，响应灵敏度下降；响应的重复稳定性受炭黑粒子分散行为的影响，从聚合物溶胀行为及逾渗导电理论解释了实验结果。     

高效液相色谱法测定药品中的乙二醇二乙醚二胺四乙酸

建立了高效液相色谱分析方法用来测定药品中乙二醇二乙醚二胺四乙酸(EGTA)含量,通过检测EGTA与Cu²⁺的配合物EGTA-Cu来检测EGTA。采用Ultimate-AQ C18色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm),流动相为乙腈-四丁基氢氧化铵水溶液(质量分数约0.3%四丁基氢氧化铵水溶液,醋酸调pH 6.50)-醋酸钠溶液(35 mmol/L醋酸钠,醋酸调pH 6.50)(20:20:60, v/v/v),检测波长为245 nm,流速为1.50 mL/min,柱温为40 ℃,进样量为100 μL。结果表明,EGTA质量浓度在0.10~15.00 mg/L范围内线性关系良好(R=0.9998);以信噪比(S/N)为3及10确定检出限和定量限,分别为0.05 mg/L和0.17 mg/L;样品加标平均回收率为98.34%~99.03%, RSD为1.08%~3.33%(n=9)。该方法操作简便,具有分离度好、灵敏度高、重复性好、回收率高等特点,适合药品中EGTA含量的检测,为EGTA检测提供了一种有效的检测方法。     

Radical copolymerization of 2-vinyl pyridine and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylates: Monomer reactivity ratios and thermal properties

Statistical copolymers of 2-vinylpyridine (VP) with oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylates of two different molecular weights (300 g/mol (OEGMA₃₀₀) and 1100 g/mol (OEGMA₁₁₀₀)), were prepared by free radical polymerization. The reactivity ratios of these two sets of monomers were estimated using the Finemann–Ross, the inverted Finemann–Ross and the Kelen–Tüdos graphical methods. Structural parameters of the copolymers were obtained by calculating the dyad monomer sequence fractions and the mean sequence length. The effect of the length of the oligo(ethylene glycol) group on the copolymer structure is discussed. The glass-transition temperature (T_g) values of the VP copolymers with OEGMA₃₀₀ were measured and examined in the frame of several theoretical equations, allowing the prediction of these T_g values. The copolymers of VP with OEGMA₁₁₀₀ exhibited the characteristic melting endotherm, due to the crystallinity of the methacrylate sequences and glass transition temperatures attributed to the PVP sequences.     

Synthesis of superparamagnetic and thermoresponsive hybrid nanoparticles via surface‐mediated RAFT polymerization of di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate and (oligoethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate

A reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent was directly anchored onto superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (SPNPs) in a simple procedure using a ligand exchange reaction of 2‐[(dodecylsulfanylcarbonylthiolsulfanyl) propionic acid] (DCPA) with oleic acid initially present on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The DCPA‐modified SPNPs were then used for the surface‐mediated RAFT polymerization of di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate and (oligoethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate to fabricate structurally well‐defined hybrid SPNPs with temperature‐responsive poly[di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate‐co‐(oligoethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate] shell and magnetic Fe₃O₄ core. Evidence of a well‐controlled surface‐mediated RAFT polymerization was gained from a linear increase of number‐average molecular weight with overall monomer conversions and relatively narrow polydispersity indices of the copolymers grown from the SPNPs. The resultant hybrid nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic property with a saturation magnetization of 55.1–19.4 emu/g and showed a temperature‐responsive phenomenon as the temperature changed between 25 and 40 ^°C. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3420–3428     

Terpolymerization of methyl methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate or poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate with methacrylic acid and sodium styrene sulfonate: determination of the reactivity ratios

Materials bearing ionic monomers were obtained through free radical terpolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PMEM) or poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (PEEM) with methacrylic acid (MA) and sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS). The reactions were carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide using azobis(isobutyronitrile) as initiator. The reactivity ratios of the different couple of monomers were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation using the Finnemann-Ross, Kelen-Tüdos and Tidwell-Mortimer methods. The values of the reactivity ratios indicate that the different monomer units can be considered as randomly distributed along the chains for terpolymerizations of MMA, PMEM or PEEM with MA and NaSS. The average composition of the comonomers in the different terpolymers were calculated, showing a good agreement between the experimental and theoretical compositions. The instantaneous compositions are constant until about 70% of conversion. For higher conversions, the insertion of ionic monomers increases or decreases according to the system studied.     

聚乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯整体柱固相萃取-高效液相色谱法测定血清中卡马西平和10-羟基卡马西平

使用乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯（EDMA）在注射器中构筑固相萃取整体柱,并结合高效液相色谱法,建立了测定血清中卡马西平（CBZ）和10-羟基卡马西平（MHD）的分析方法。实验考察了反应温度和反应时间对整体柱萃取性能的影响和淋洗溶液种类、洗脱溶液种类及体积对固相萃取的影响。在优化条件下,该固相萃取柱对血清中CBZ和MHD能够有效富集、净化。对0.02~40 μg/mL CBZ和0.05~100 μg/mL MHD标准溶液进行分析,结果表明,在各自的范围内CBZ和MHD线性关系良好,相关系数（r）均为0.999。CBZ和MHD的检出限分别为0.004 μg/mL和0.01 μg/mL;在3个加标水平下,CBZ和MHD的平均回收率分别为92.7%和94.2%,日内（n=3）和日间（n=3） RSD≤6.1%。该固相萃取柱批内（n=3）和批间（n=5） RSD≤5.3%,反复使用8次的RSD≤5.8%。该法简单、高效,适用于癫痫患者血清中CBZ和MHD的测定。     

Determination of parabens in cosmetic products by solid-phase microextraction of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate thin film on fibers and ultra high-speed liquid chromatography with diode array detector

The fabrication of a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber through UV-induced polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) for determination of parabens in cosmetic products is presented in this work. The PEG-DA polymer coating was covalently attached to the fiber by introducing a surface modification with 3-(trichlorosilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPM). The PEG-DA polymer thin film coated on the fiber was homogeneous and wrinkled, which led to an increase of the surface area and high extraction efficiency. The extraction performances of the prepared SPME fibers were assessed by preconcentration of parabens including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and benzylparaben from cosmetic products. The analysis was performed on an ultra high-speed liquid chromatography with diode array detector. The prepared SPME fibers exhibited good repeatability (for one fiber) and reproducibility (fiber-to-fiber) with RSDs of 5.4 and 6.9%, respectively. The optimized SPME method supported a wide linear range of 0.50-160 μg/mL and the detection limits for parabens were in the range of 0.12-0.15 μg/mL (S/N=3). The developed method was successfully applied for determination of parabens in cosmetic products with different natures.     

Monoliths from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and dimethacrylate for capillary hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins

Rigid monoliths were synthesized solely from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylates (PEGDA) or poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylates (PEGDMA) containing different ethylene glycol chain lengths by one-step UV-initiated polymerization. Methanol/ethyl ether and cyclohexanol/decanol were used as bi-porogen mixtures for the PEGDA and PEGDMA monoliths, respectively. Effects of PEG chain length, bi-porogen ratio and reaction temperature on monolith morphology and back pressure were investigated. For tri- and tetra-ethylene glycol diacrylates (i.e., PEGDA 258 and PEGDA 302), most combinations of methanol and ethyl ether were effective in forming monoliths, while for diacrylates containing longer chain lengths (i.e., PEGDA 575 and PEGDA 700), polymerization became more sensitive to the bi-porogen ratio. A similar tendency was also observed for PEGDMA monomers. Polymerization of monoliths was conducted at approximately 0 °C and room temperature, which produced significant differences in monolith morphology and permeability. Monoliths prepared from PEGDA 258 were found to provide the best chromatographic performance with respect to peak capacity and resolution in hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Detailed study of these monoliths demonstrated that chromatographic performance was not affected by changing the ratios of the two porogens, but resulted in almost identical retention times and comparable peak capacities. An optimized PEGDA 258 monolithic column was able to separate proteins using a 20-min elution gradient with a peak capacity of 62. Mass recoveries for test proteins were found to be greater than 90, indicating its excellent biocompatibility. All monoliths demonstrated nearly no swelling or shrinking in different polarity solvents, and most of them could be stored dry, indicating excellent stability due to their highly crosslinked networks. The preparation of these in situ polymerized single-monomer monolithic columns was highly reproducible. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values based on retention times of retained proteins were all within 2.2%, and in most cases, less than 1.2%. The RSD values based on peak areas were within 9.5%, and in most cases, less than 7.0%. The single-monomer synthesis approach clearly improves column-to-column reproducibility.     

Suspension polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate: a route for swellable spherical gel beads with controlled hydrophilicity and functionality

 Spherical and swellable gel beads were obtained by the suspension polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate macromonomer (PEG-MA). The average size and size distribution properties, the equilibrium swelling behaviour and the protein adsorption characteristics of PEG-MA-based gel beads were determined. In the suspension polymerization system, the organic phase including monomer, cross-linker and diluent solution was dispersed in an aqueous medium by using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as the stabilizer. The diluent solution was prepared by mixing cyclohexanol and octanol at different volume ratios. The suspension polymerization experiments were designed in two separate parts. In the first part, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was selected as the cross-linker and swellable PEG-MA-based gel beads were obtained by changing the cross-linker concentration, the monomer/diluent ratio and the stirring rate. In the second part, a more hydrophobic structure, divinylbenzene (DVB) was tried as a cross-linker. In this part, PEG-MA-DVB copolymer beads were obtained by changing the DVB/PEG-MA feed ratio. Then, the hydrophicility of the resulting gel beads could be controlled by changing the feed ratio of hydrophilic macromonomer to hydrophobic cross-linker. This property was also used to control the extent of nonspecific protein adsorption onto the surface of the gel beads. The non specific albumin adsorption onto the gel beads decreased with increasing PEG-MA content. No significant nonspecific adsorption at the isoelectric point of albumin was detected onto the gel beads produced with the higher PEG-MA/DVB feed ratios. For specific albumin adsorption, a triazinyl dye (i.e., cibacron blue, CB F3G-A) was covalently attached onto the surface of the copolymer beads via terminal hydroxyl groups of PEG-MA. The results of albumin adsorption experiments with the CB F3G-A carrying beads indicated that an appreciable specific albumin adsorption capacity could be obtained with the gel beads produced with a PEG-MA/DVB feed ratio of 1.5/4.0. Received: 16 August 1999/Revised: 27 December 1999