Abstract
Two types of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer molecularly imprinted polymers (RAFT-MIPs) were synthesized using different monomers, which were methacrylic acid functionalized β-cyclodextrin (MAA-β-CD) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate functionalized β-cyclodextrin (HEMA-β-CD), via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and were represented as RAFT-MIP(MAA-β-CD) and RAFT-MIP(HEMA-β-CD), respectively. Both RAFT-MIPs were systematically characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and rebinding experimental study. The results were compared with MIPs synthesized via the traditional radical polymerization (TRP) process, and were represented as MIP(MAA-β-CD) and MIP(HEMA-β-CD). Morphology results show that RAFT-MIP(MAA-β-CD) has a slightly spherical feature with a sponge-like form, while RAFT-MIP(HEMA-β-CD) has a compact surface. BET results show that the surface area of RAFT-MIP(MAA-β-CD) is higher than MIP(MAA-β-CD), while the RAFT-MIP(HEMA-β-CD) surface area is lower than that of MIP(HEMA-β-CD). Rebinding experiments indicate that the RAFT agent increased the binding capacity of RAFT-MIP(MAA-β-CD), but not of RAFT-MIP(HEMA-β-CD), which proves that a RAFT agent does not always improve the recognition affinity and selective adsorption of MIPs. The usability of a RAFT agent depends on the monomer used to generate potential MIPs.
Highlights
Molecular imprinting is a versatile approach in making synthetic receptors with tailor-made recognition sites
This study aimed to investigate the potential of applying reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent in the synthesis of imprinted polymers, based on the selective binding properties
Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and BET characterization have proven the effect of RAFT agent in molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) polymerization processes
Summary
Molecular imprinting is a versatile approach in making synthetic receptors with tailor-made recognition sites. The template is removed from the cross-linked polymer network. This removal will lead to three-dimensional cavities that are complementary in size, shape, and chemical functionality to the template. The resulting MIP serves high specificity and selectivity for the template, and is favorable towards mechanical, thermal, and chemical stabilities [1,2]. It is clearly suitable for various applications, such as in separations [3], chemical sensors [4], selective catalysis [5], and hybrid membranes [6]
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