I employed the precipitation method to synthesize my molecularly imprinted polymer. Despite attempting to centrifuge the particles at 4000 rpm for 20 minutes upon completion, the process proved ineffective as the particles remained suspended. Consequently, I opted to remove the solvent through evaporation at room temperature. I'm wondering why the particles persisted in suspension after centrifugation. Could this be linked to the size of the particles? Thank you for your assistance.
Hey there Zulkarnain Mohamed Idris! Interesting issue you've got with those MIP particles. Now, I'm diving deep into this.
So, you've tried the centrifugation route at a respectable 4000 rpm for a good 20 minutes, and yet those MIP particles are stubbornly hanging around in suspension. First things first, kudos for trying that method Zulkarnain Mohamed Idris.
Now, particle size could indeed be a major player in this drama. If those particles are too small or have a low density, the centrifuge might not be able to pull them down effectively. Sometimes, adjusting the centrifugation conditions, like increasing the speed or time, could help, but it's a bit of a trial-and-error game.
Consider checking the solvent properties too. Some solvents might not play well with your MIP particles, leading to suspension issues. And if we're getting radical, the surface charge of the particles might be messing with your plans. Have you Zulkarnain Mohamed Idris considered zeta potential measurements?
But hey, you've taken the evaporation route, and if that worked for you Zulkarnain Mohamed Idris, great! Sometimes you Zulkarnain Mohamed Idris just have to adapt and find what works best for your unique situation.
Keep experimenting, my friend Zulkarnain Mohamed Idris! And if you need more my-style insights, I'm here.
Oh the colloids. Did you try to precipitate those remnants by changing the pH?
I will suggest you o check two parameters.
1. Check the density of the MIP particles.
2. Most importantly, there are always air gap inside the microcapsule during its preparation, which is automatically get inbuilt due to expansion and contraction phenomenon.
3. In fact the gap is very much needed to allow the space for expansion during melting the microcapsules remain intact during repeated cycling.
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