What is the Difference Between Acrylamide and Bisacrylamide?

Acrylamide and Bisacrylamide are both amides used in the production of polyacrylamide polymers, but they have different functions and structures:

• Acrylamide: It is a water-soluble monomer with the chemical formula C3H5NO and is used to form a transparent and insoluble gel that is stable. Acrylamide forms linear polymers.
• Bisacrylamide: It is a cross-linking agent with the chemical formula C7H10N2O2, also known as N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide. Bisacrylamide creates a network of polyacrylamide by cross-linking the linear polymers formed by acrylamide. The more cross-links there are, the smaller the pore size in the gel.

In summary, acrylamide is responsible for forming linear polymers, while bisacrylamide cross-links these polymers to create a network of polyacrylamide. The ratio of acrylamide to bisacrylamide determines the pore size of the resulting gel.

Comparative Table: Acrylamide vs Bisacrylamide

The main difference between acrylamide and bisacrylamide lies in their chemical structure and the way they form polymers. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between the two:

Acrylamide forms linear polymers, while bisacrylamide introduces crosslinks between polyacrylamide chains, forming a network of polyacrylamide. The pore size in the resulting polyacrylamide gel is determined by the ratio of acrylamide to bisacrylamide and the concentration of acrylamide. A higher ratio of bisacrylamide to acrylamide and a higher acrylamide concentration result in smaller pore sizes. Both compounds are used in various applications, with acrylamide being commonly used in PAGE.