Synthesis of Hydrophilic Polymeric Supports with Poly-HIPE Structures Based on Acrylates for Pharmaceutical Applications

Abstract

In the present paper, the synthesis and characterization of a hydrophilic acrylate-based poly-HIPE for pharmaceutical applications have been reported and discussed with particular emphasis on the effect of curing over morphology. According to previously described experimental setups and procedures, photoinduced polymerization has been successfully achieved, exposing the emulsion to UV light for 15, 30, and 60 min. Polymeric monoliths were fully investigated in terms of morphology, calorimetric analysis (TGA and DSC), FTIR, porosity (BET), and gel content analysis. The results highlighted an increase in the specific surface area as the curing time is prolonged, therefore, affecting the morphology. The material has found application as support for in-flow experiments to evaluate the adsorption of molecules of pharmaceutical interest (small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies). The versatility of poly-HIPEs and their potential in bioreactor application was discussed.