Assessing ecotoxicity, synergic and antagonistic actions of commonly used components of polymerization mixture in molecularly imprinted polymers preparation process

Abstract

Increasingly, the challenge is the optimal process of developing a suitable MIP-type sorptive material (taking into account its final form and application area), which is mainly related to the efficiency/effectiveness of the polymerization process. The lack of reaction or its low efficiency generates additional waste and puts it into the environmental cycle. The main aim of the performed research was the estimation of ecotoxicity, and effect of joint action of commonly used components of polymerization mixture applied in MIPs preparation process. The general purpose of this work is to apply bioluminescent bacteria in order to find any potential interactions taking place in two and three-component polymerization mixtures containing selected MIP polymerization components. According to calculated EC50 values for all tested compounds, the toxicity of MIP components to the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri can be arranged in decreasing order as follows: DVB > DCM > EDGMA > MAA > TMSPMA > APTES > MMA > TEOS > TMPTA > AA > ACN. Based on obtained results, it was concluded that EGDMA has a strong influence on the antagonistic interactions among mixture components. An overestimation of the toxicity value was noticed for only eight mixtures, where one of the component was DVB, EGDMA, or TEOS.