OBJECTIVES
- Clean, filter, and separate out the oil from the previously prepared microspheres on 2/22/13
Microspheres: Separation & Vacuum Filtration Procedures
Setup of a vacuum filtration system:
* Clean 250mL Erlenmeyer Filter Flask
* Large Buchner Funnel
* Whatman #42 Filter Paper
* Long Secure Rubber Hose
- Take a microsphere sample out of its container using a pair of tweezers
- Place a piece of filter paper into the Buchner funnel, then filter the microsphere using the vacuum filtration system setup
- Attach all parts of the apparatus to the vacuum filtrator system
- Place a piece of Whatman #42 filter paper in the Buchner Funnel
- Turn on the vacuum filtrator system
- Check the suction rate to ensure that enough pressure is applied
- Place the microsphere sample into the Buchner funnel
- Allow the vacuum filtration to continue until the microsphere is completely dry
- To continuously remove the oil integrated within the microsphere sample, wash the microspheres with hexanes repeatedly
- Once microspheres completely dehydrate, clean with hexanes and place microsphere samples in new small labeled vial
- Allow microspheres to dry for ~ 1 day
- Wash all glassware and equipment first with H2O and then with acetone for later use
Notes
- Many microsphere samples did not exactly precipitate out into smaller tiny spheres, they remained connected.
- Also many microspheres samples appeared to be very absorbent and squishy like in touch
- For many microspheres several portions of hexanes were needed to purify, clean, and remove oil from each sample ~ 25mL (5 portions of 5mL)
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