title: A semi-empirical model to simplify the synthesis of homogeneous and transparent cross-linked polymers and their application in the preparation of optical sensing films.
abstract: We propose a simple, semi-empirical model based on Hansen's solubility parameters for simplifying the synthesis and the optimization of homogeneous and transparent cross-linked polymers in order to obtain optical sensing films. More than 740 experiments were undertaken to demonstrate the reliability of the model and several applications are proposed. We have demonstrated that our model can help in the synthesis and optimization (percentage of cross-linker, changes in hydrophilicity, selection of porogens, quantity of template etc.) of homogeneous and transparent MIPs and NIPs (molecularly imprinted polymers) with VOCs; after the synthesis of 440 polymers in the homogeneity zone only 4.32% of them (19 samples out of 440) were heterogeneous. We suggest a role for its use in the development of novel polymeric resins for detecting volatile organic compounds in water by measuring intrinsic fluorescence, in simplifying the synthesis of imprinted polymers and in decreasing the number of experiments required to optimize optical sensing membranes. In addition, it might also be used for synthesizing and optimizing MIPs with a non-volatile template.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Granada, c/Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Medina-Castillo
authors.forename: Jorge F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Sanchez
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Segura-Carretero
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Gutierrez
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008027:Light; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008956:Models, Chemical; D055096:Optical Devices; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers