In situ synthesis of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles in porous support membranes using high-viscosity polymerization solvents.
There is a growing need in membrane separations for novel membrane materials providing selective retention. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are promising candidates for membrane functionalization. In this work, a novel approach is described to prepare composite membrane adsorbers incorporating molecularly imprinted microparticles or nanoparticles into commercially available macroporous filtration membranes. The polymerization is carried out in highly viscous polymerization solvents, and the particles are formed in situ in the pores of the support membrane. MIP particle composite membranes selective for terbutylazine were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and N₂ porosimetry. By varying the polymerization solvent microparticles or nanoparticles with diameters ranging from several hundred nanometers to 1 µm could be embedded into the support. The permeability of the membranes was in the range of 1000 to 20,000 Lm⁻²  hr⁻¹  bar⁻¹. The imprinted composite membranes showed high MIP/NIP (nonimprinted polymer) selectivity for the template in organic media both in equilibrium-rebinding measurements and in filtration experiments. The solid phase extraction of a mixture of the template, its analogs, and a nonrelated compound demonstrated MIP/NIP selectivity and substance selectivity of the new molecularly imprinted membrane. The synthesis technique offers a potential for the cost-effective production of selective membrane adsorbers with high capacity and high throughput.
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, H-1111, Budapest, Szt. Gellért Tér 4, Hungary.
Tibor
T
Renkecz
Krisztina
K
László
Viola
V
Horváth
D000327:Adsorption; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D005374:Filtration; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006898:Hydroxylamines / Q000737:chemistry; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D054802:Molecular Imprinting / Q000379:methods*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D010232:Paraffin / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D010575:Pesticides / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014227:Triazines / Q000737:chemistry; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006898:Hydroxylamines; D052578:Ionic Liquids; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates; C494687:N,O-dimethacryloylhydroxylamine; D009821:Oils; D010575:Pesticides; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D012997:Solvents; D014227:Triazines; C009753:fiberglass; D014867:Water; D010232:Paraffin; C015418:paraffin oils; C037565:terbutylazine; D009584:Nitrogen