Experimental automation for high-throughput collection of phase behavior and dynamic light scattering data for thermally-responsive polymers.

Abstract

Many responsive polymeric systems, important for pharmaceutical formulations, exhibit complex phase behavior which require both large and precise experimental data sets for identifying phase boundaries between various self-assemblies, morphologies, and solution properties. Datasets of these polymeric systems are often limited by the quantity of materials and the time required to prepare samples and collect data. Here we develop automated methods for sample preparation and analysis while using initial sample volumes on the order of 100 µL. This volume was small enough to enable a dataset of a model monoclonal antibody protein solution. Two sample-delivery approaches (syringe- or pneumatic-based) are used to control the flow and mixing within the same measurement platform. The sample is appropriately delivered to a commercial low-volume temperature-controlled spectroscopic flow cell for characterization using in-line ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, turbidity, dynamic light scattering, and a separate microcapillary rheometer for viscosity measurements. This approach can be further optimized to expedite structure-property datasets for the development of materials with targeted properties.