Molecular Imprints Frozen by Strong Intermolecular Interactions in Place of Cross-Linking.

A new way to freeze molecular imprints in a polymer material is reported. So far, molecular imprinted polymers (MIP) involve copolymerization of a functional monomer and large amounts of cross-linking agent, which keeps the template shape memory in rigid molecular imprints. MIP materials are prepared herein without cross-linking agent. Stiff chains of polyaniline grafted on a solid support as a brush-like material achieve the necessary rigidity. Differential adsorption to imprinted and non-imprinted materials provides evidence of molecular imprints. A correct adsorption isotherm for mobile adsorbed layers (Volmer isotherm) is introduced instead of the popular but inadequate Langmuir isotherm. Non-selective adsorption is entropic, whereas adsorption to molecular imprints has an enthalpic contribution coming from specific interactions. Fast adsorption kinetics are a definite benefit with regards to applications such as chromatographic separations and chemical sensors. © 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Citation

Cherifa Ayadi, Amira Anene, Rafik Kalfat, Yves Chevalier, Souhaira Hbaieb. Molecular Imprints Frozen by Strong Intermolecular Interactions in Place of Cross-Linking. Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany). 2021 Jan 26;27(6):2175-2183

PMID: 33146917

search → result