Ammonium persulfate forms free radicals when dissolved in water, which initiate polymerization of acrylamide solutions.

Due to the instability of APS in water, a working solution must be prepared daily for optimum performance. A 10% APS solution can be easily be prepared, without weighing, by adding one Ammonium Persulfate (APS), 100mg Tablet to 1 ml of water.

VWR also offers a tablet with APS and TEMED combined for ultimate convenience. Simply add one APS/TEMED Polymerization Tablet to 1 ml of water to prepare an APS/TEMED working solution.

TEMED, as an electron carrier, is added to catalyze the polymerization reaction.