Determination of molybdenum in environmental samples

Molecular imprinted membrane of indole-3-ethanol (IE) was prepared by hybridization of IE imprinted polymer powder and polysulfone (PSf) membrane. The IE imprinted polymer by covalent imprinting method was synthesized with copolymerization of indole-3-ethyl methacrylate (IEMA) and divinylbenzene (DVB). The cross-linked P(IEMA-co-DVB) was ground to be powders having less than 63 μm size and then hybridized within PSf membrane by using phase inversion process. The resultant imprinted powder showed binding capacities of 1.8, 7.2, 0 and 0 μmol g⁻¹ for IE, indole, 8-hydroxyquinoline and pyrrole in aqueous solution, respectively, and after hybridization with the PSf membrane, the value was 46, 26, 0 and 0 μmol g⁻¹. As a result, it was found that the IE imprinted powder alone showed non-selectively binding to the IE, but, the hybridized powder within the PSf membrane bound selectively the IE. Evidence was presented that hydrophobic interaction of the PSf matrix caused the selective and efficient binding. We also showed separation behavior of the hybrid membranes and discussed on the binding selectivity of the IE molecule. In view point of hybrid effect of the PSf membrane and the cross-linked imprinted powder, the results of the separation of these substrates were considered.     

Influence of the solvent on nature of gate effect in molecularly imprinted membrane

The solute diffusive permeability in a thin layer of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is affected by specific binding of the MIP with a template. This phenomenon, termed the "gate effect," would be widely applicable for the development of novel biomimetic sensors. However, the mechanism underlying the gate effect is not totally understood. We present here investigation of the role of specific adsorption of a template and solution content in MIPs on the gate effect. A molecularly imprinted self-supporting membrane was formed by copolymerization of methacrylic acid, 2-vinylpyridine, and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate in the presence of L- (or D-) phenylalanine as a template. The template adsorbed by membrane with degree of enantio-selectivity in a mixed solvent of methanol and water. The amount of adsorption and binding selectivity showed little sensitivity to the solvent composition. The solution content in the membrane increased with increasing the methanol concentration of the solvent following a sigmoid curve with an inflection point at methanol concentration of 20 wt.%. The content increased in the presence of the template at methanol concentrations higher than the inflection point, and decreased at lower methanol concentrations. The creatinine permeability across the membrane estimated by batchwise dialysis increased in the presence of the template at 50 wt.% methanol in the solvent, and did not change at 20 wt.%. There was no permeability for creatinine in the pure water solvent. Both the solution content and the permeability were not affected by the presence of the enantiomer of the template. The results show that the choice of solvent controls more strongly the nature of the gate effect than the specific binding of the template.     

Molecularly imprinted polymer for metsulfuron-methyl and its binding characteristics for sulfonylurea herbicides

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared using metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) as the template molecule. A combinatorial protocol has been employed to optimize the polymer in terms of the kind and relative amounts of functional and cross-linking monomers. A copolymer of 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid (TFMAA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) showed the highest binding capacity for MSM. The binding characteristics of the imprinted polymers and MSM were evaluated in various solvents using equilibrium binding experiments. The results showed that the MIP binds MSM only in dichloromethane, which was used as the porogen during polymerization. Scatchard plot analysis revealed that two classes of binding sites were formed in the imprinted polymer with dissociation constants of 32.3 μmol l⁻¹ and 1.7 mmol l⁻¹, respectively. The specificity of the imprinted polymer was investigated by binding assays using MSM and other structurally related sulfonylurea herbicides. The results indicated that the imprinted polymer showed a marked selectivity for MSM.     

Reference field effect transistors based on chemically modified ISFETs

Different hydrophobic polymers were used for chemical modification of ion-sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) in order to prepare a reference FET (REFET). Chemical attachment of the polymer to the ISFET gate results in a long lifetime of the device. Properties of polyacrylate (polyACE) REFETs are described in detail. The polyACE-REFET is superior to other polymer modified REFETs, showing an excellent pH insensitivity (?1 mV pH^?1), a long lifetime and an electrically identical behaviour as an unmodified pH ISFET or a cation-selective PVC-MEMFET (membrane FET). The cation permeselectivity of the polymer can be significantly reduced by addition of immobile cations. The applicability of a polyACE-REFET in differential measurements with a pH ISFET and a K⁺ MEMFET is demonstrated.     

Introduction of a planar defect in a molecularly imprinted photonic crystal sensor for the detection of bisphenol A

This paper reports the preparation of a molecularly imprinted inverse opal hydrogel containing a 2D defect layer, by combining the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and the photonic crystal template method. By coupling the exceptional characteristics of molecularly imprinted polymers, sensitive to the presence of a target molecule, and those of photonic crystals in a single device, we could obtain a defect-embedded imprinted photonic polymer consisting in a three-dimensional, highly-ordered and interconnected macroporous array, where nanocavities complementary to analytes in shape and binding sites are distributed. As a proof of concept, we prepared a three-dimensional macroporous array of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) containing molecular imprints of bisphenol A (BPA) and a planar defect layer consisting in macropores of different size. The optical properties of the resulting inverse opal were investigated using reflection spectroscopy. The defect layer was shown to enhance the sensitivity of the photonic crystal material, opening new possibilities towards the development smart optical sensing devices.     

Analysis of recognition of fructose by imprinted polymers

Binding of fructose to the fructose imprinted polymer (MIP(Frc)) and pinacol imprinted polymer (control) were studied both in batch and a flow through mode. The influence of the cross-linkers ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) on the binding characteristics was analysed. TRIM cross-linked MIPs showed a lower (unspecific) binding for the control polymer (pinacol imprinted) and higher binding of fructose as compared with the EDMA-MIPs. Furthermore interactions of a TRIM cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer against fructose and its corresponding template were studied using a thermistor. Label-free detection of fructose was realised in the range of 0.5-10mM. The difference in enthalpy changes between specific binding of fructose to boronic acid moieties of the MIP and non-specific binding to the matrix leads to an 18-fold higher apparent imprinting factor than batch binding studies. Cross-reactivity studies using MIP sensor indicate that the interaction of fructose to MIP generates higher signal than disaccharides. The studies described in this paper demonstrate the potential of direct characterisation of molecular binding events.     

New membrane materials for potassium-selective ion-sensitive field-effect transistors

Several polymeric materials were studied as membrane materials for potassium-selective ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) to overcome the problems related with the use of conventional plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes casted on ISFET gate surfaces. Several acrylate materials, such as ACE, Epocryl and derivatives, showed no reproducible results. Three room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV)-type silicone rubbers were tested. The addition-type RTV-2 silicone rubber was not suitable as a membrane material, but the condensation-type RTV-1 and especially the RTV-2 silicone rubber showed good results. ISFETs with a Silopren membrane showed a durability of at least 2 months.     

Preparing molecularly imprinted membranes by phase inversion to separate kaempferol

Molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) were studied to separate special target molecule – kaempferol, an important active pharmaceutical ingredient. The kaempferol MIM were prepared by the liquid–solid phase inversion method. The effects of polyphenylene sulfone, LiCl, and ZnCl₂ on membrane performance were studied, a high Flux MIM was prepared, then the kaempferol molecularly imprinted polymer membrane, non‐molecularly imprinted membrane, and non‐molecularly imprinted polymer membrane were prepared to investigate adsorption capacity. From adsorption isotherm curve, the maximum equilibrium adsorption quantity was 890 µg/g, and it was MIM. The MIM and molecularly imprinted polymer membrane give high selectivity towards kaempferol; the non‐molecularly imprinted membrane and non‐molecularly imprinted polymer membrane showed low adsorption quantity and selectivity. The reuse experiment of the MIM indicated that it has good reuse property. All the results showed binding sites were important in the separation process of MIMs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular imprinted membrane based on molecular imprinted nanoparticles polymer for separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The phase inversion technique was used for synthesis anthracene molecularly imprinted membrane (An–MIM) by hybridizing anthracene molecularly imprinted nanoparticles polymer (An–MINP) with cellulose acetate (CA). An–MIM gives high binding capacities toward anthracene, naphthalene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, phenanthrene, and acenaphthylene. Meanwhile, cellulose acetate membrane (CAM) and none imprinted membrane give very low binding capacities toward Anthracene, Naphthalene, Pyrene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Phenanthrene and Acenaphthylene. The separation properties of An–MIM, none imprinted membrane (NIM), and CAM were investigated in terms of selectivity, rejection percentages, and concentrating factor. The optimum operation time of An–MIM was found to be 3 hr. The overall results indicated that the presence of chemical binding sites in the An–MIM plays predominating role in the separation properties. Therefore, An–MIM proved to be highly efficient for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at various percentages. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Core-shell nanostructured molecular imprinting fluorescent chemosensor for selective detection of atrazine herbicide

To convert the binding events on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) into physically detectable signals and to extract the templates completely are the great challenges in developing MIP-based sensors. In this paper, a core-shell nanostructure was employed in constructing the MIP chemosensor for the improvements of template extraction efficiency and imprinted sites accessibility. Vinyl-substituted zinc(II) protoporphyrin (ZnPP) was used as both fluorescent reporter and functional monomer to synthesize atrazine-imprinted polymer shell at silica nanoparticle cores. The template atrazine coordinates with the Lewis acid binding site Zn of ZnPP to form a complex for the molecular imprinting polymerization. These imprinted sites are located in polymer matrix of the thin shells (~8 nm), possessing better accessibility and lower mass-transfer resistance for the target molecules. The fluorescence properties of ZnPP around the imprinted sites will vary upon rebinding of atrazine to these imprinted sites, realizing the conversion of rebinding events into detectable signals by monitoring fluorescence spectra. This MIP probe showed a limit of detection (LOD) of about 1.8 μM for atrazine detection. The core-shell nanostructured MIP method not only improves the sensitivity, but also shows high selectivity for atrazine detection when compared with the non-molecular imprinted counterparts.     

Analysis of dopamine and tyrosinase activity on ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) devices

Dopamine (1) and tyrosinase (TR) activities were analyzed by using chemically modified ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) devices. In one configuration, a phenylboronic acid functionalized ISFET was used to analyze 1 or TR. The formation of the boronate-1 complex on the surface of the gate altered the electrical potential associated with the gate, and thus enabled 1 to be analyzed with a detection limit of 7x10(-5) M. Similarly, the TR-induced formation of 1, and its association with the boronic acid ligand allowed a quantitative assay of TR to be performed. In another configuration, the surface of the ISFET gate was modified with tyramine or 1 to form functional surfaces for analyzing TR activities. The TR-induced oxidation of the tyramine- or 1-functionalized ISFETs resulted in the formation of the redox-active dopaquinone units. The control of the gate potential by the redox-active dopaquinone units allowed a quantitative assay of TR to be performed. The dopaquinone-functionalized ISFETs could be regenerated to give the 1-modified sensing devices by treatment with ascorbic acid.     

白藜芦醇分子印迹复合膜的制备及其选择性能

以反式白藜芦醇为模板分子,聚偏氟乙烯微孔滤膜为支撑膜,丙烯酰胺为功能单体,乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸脂(EDMA)为交联剂,采用热引发原位聚合方法制备了白藜芦醇分子印迹聚合物膜。研究了分子印迹膜对白藜芦醇及其结构类似物(2-萘酚、白藜芦醇甙和双酚A)的结合和透过性,并用扫描电镜对膜形貌进行了表征。结果表明,印迹复合膜对模板分子白藜芦醇具有良好的吸附选择性,印迹膜对白藜芦醇的吸附量远远大于其它结构类似物,其饱和吸附量达1.72μmol/g,为非印迹膜的3倍;尺寸效应和印迹效应是影响物质在印迹膜上的透过量的两个重要因素,尺寸比模板分子小的2-萘酚最先透过,而相对于尺寸接近或大于模板分子的双酚A或白藜芦醇甙,模板分子优先透过。而且,模板分子在印迹膜上的透过量大于非印迹膜。     

Electronic transduction of DNA sensing processes on surfaces: amplification of DNA detection and analysis of single-base mismatches by tagged liposomes.

Tagged, negatively charged, liposomes are used to amplify DNA sensing processes. The analyses of the target DNA are transduced electrochemically by using Faradaic impedance spectroscopy, or by microgravimetric measurements with Au-quartz crystals. By one method, a probe oligonucleotide (1) is assembled on Au-electrodes or Au-quartz crystals. The formation of the double-stranded assembly with the analyte DNA (2) is amplified by the association of the 3-oligonucleotide-functionalized liposomes to the sensing interface. The target DNA is analyzed by this method with a sensitivity limit that corresponds to 1 x 10(-12) M. A second method to amplify the sensing of the analyte involves the interaction of the 1-functionalized electrode or Au-quartz crystal with the target DNA sample (2) that is pretreated with the biotinylated oligonucleotide (4). The formation of the three-component double-stranded assembly between 1/2/4 is amplified by the association of avidin and biotin-labeled liposomes to the sensing interfaces. By the secondary association of avidin and biotin-tagged liposomes, a dendritic-type amplification of the analysis of the DNA is accomplished. The analyte DNA (2) is sensed by this method with a sensitivity limit corresponding to 1 x 10(-13) M. The biotin-tagged liposomes are also used to probe and amplify single-base mismatches in an analyte DNA. The 6-oligonucleotide-functionalized Au-electrode or Au-quartz crystal was used to differentiate the single-base mismatch (G) in the mutant (5) from the normal A-containing gene (5a). Polymerase-induced coupling of the biotinylated-C-base to the double-stranded assembly generated between 6 and 5 followed by the association of avidin and biotin-tagged liposomes is used to probe the single base mismatch. The functionalized liposomes provide a particulate building unit for the dendritic amplification of DNA sensing.     

Evaluation of molecularly imprinted membranes based on different acrylic copolymers

Polyacrylonitrile and its copolymers with different functional monomers (itaconic acid, acrylic acid and acrylamide) were synthesized via water-phase precipitation polymerization in order to prepare molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membranes with recognition properties for the flavonoid naringin (NR). Membranes were prepared by phase inversion technique using dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent and adding naringin as template molecule to the casting solution. For comparison, membranes without template (blank) were prepared and tested. All MIP membranes showed high specific binding capacity; among them, the membrane prepared with the copolymer containing acrylamide as functional group, showed the highest binding capacity. Blank membranes only showed non-specific binding. The bound template was totally recovered and regenerated membranes maintained their initial binding capacity after reuse.     

DESIGN AND STUDY OF NEW AZOBENZENE LIQUID CRYSTAL/POLYMER MATERIALS

Discussion is presented on the use of the photoisomerization of azobenzene chromophore in the design andpreparation of novel functional materials. The two systems reviewed are azobenzene polymer-stabilized liquid crystals andazobenzene elastomers. In the first case, a polymer network containing azobenzene moieties is used to optically induce andstabilize a long-range liquid crystal orientation without the need of treating the surfaces of the substrates. This optical andrubbing-free approach was applied to nematic and ferroelectric liquid crystals. In the second case, an azobenzene side-chainliquid crystalline polymer is grafted onto a styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer to yield a photoactive thermoplasticelastomer. Coupled mechanical and optical effects make possible the formation of dimaction gratings that may be useful formechanically tunable optical devices.     

Development of ion-sensitive field-effect transistor-based sensors for benzylphosphonic acids and thiophenols using molecularly imprinted TiO2 films

Molecularly imprinted polymeric membranes, containing artificial recognition sites for a number of benzylphosphonic acid derivatives, were prepared by the polymerization of titanium(IV) butoxide in the presence of a titanium(IV) phosphonate complex. Reference polymers were prepared in the same manner but in the absence of the phosphonate template. FTIR spectroscopy was used to follow the formation of a benzylphosphonic acid-Titanium(IV) oxide complex during the imprinting process, and upon the association of the substrate in the imprinted TiO₂ thin film. The imprinted polymers were examined as sensing membranes in an ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs). The sensors reveal selectivity towards analyzing the imprinted substrates, yet the recognition ability of the sensors strongly depends on the substituents associated with the phosphonic acid structures. The response time of the sensors is ca. 45 s, and the sensors reveal unaffected stability for at least 2 weeks. Also, imprinted TiO₂ films for thiophenol, and para-nitrothiophenol were generated on ISFET devices, and the respective substrates were selectively sensed by the functional devices.     

Study of the binding characteristics and transportation properties of a 4-aminopyridine imprinted polymer membrane

Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes containing artificial recognition sites for 4-aminopyridine have been prepared by photopolymerization using 4-aminopyridine as template. Reference membranes were prepared with the same monomer mixture but in the absence of the template. The binding characteristics of the imprinted polymer membrane were investigated by a batch method and the transport properties of the membranes were investigated using diffusion chambers. The results showed that the binding amount of 4-aminopyridine is higher than that of 2-aminopyridine whereas the latter can transport the 4-aminopyridine imprinted polymer membrane faster than 4-aminopyridine.     

Study of the binding characteristics and transportation properties of a 4-aminopyridine imprinted polymer membrane

Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes containing artificial recognition sites for 4-aminopyridine have been prepared by photopolymerization using 4-aminopyridine as template. Reference membranes were prepared with the same monomer mixture but in the absence of the template. The binding characteristics of the imprinted polymer membrane were investigated by a batch method and the transport properties of the membranes were investigated using diffusion chambers. The results showed that the binding amount of 4-aminopyridine is higher than that of 2-aminopyridine whereas the latter can transport the ¶4-aminopyridine imprinted polymer membrane faster than 4-aminopyridine.     

分子印迹聚合物膜对氨基酸海因手性化合物的选择性结合和透过性质研究

合成了可对氨基酸海因对映异构体选择性分离的分子印迹聚合物膜。利用紫外光谱法比较不同功能单体与模板分子的作用能力。以丙烯酰胺为功能单体,在极性溶剂中制备了5R-5氨-基酸海因的分子印迹聚合物膜,通过Scatchard分析法研究膜中结合位点情况。通过膜透过实验研究印迹膜对外消旋体的分离特性。Scatchard分析显示聚合物膜中形成了两类结合位点,其解离常数分别为1.88mmol/L和5.14mmol/L;选择性透过实验表明膜中形成了与5R-5氨-基酸海因分子形状和功能基因位置匹配的孔穴。与非印迹聚合物膜相比,印迹聚合物膜对对映体具有良好的选择性。     

Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes for substance-selective solid-phase extraction from water by surface photo-grafting polymerization

Hydrophilized polyvinylidene fluoride microfiltration membranes were surface-modified in the presence of a template (terbumeton) in methanol with a graft copolymer of a functional monomer (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid, AMPS, methacrylic acid, MAA, or acrylic acid, AA) and a cross-linker (N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide) using UV irradiation and benzophenone as photoinitiator. As result, membranes covered with a thin layer of imprinted polymer selective to terbumeton were obtained. Blank membranes were prepared with the same monomer composition, but in the absence of the template. The membranes' capacity to adsorb terbumetone from aqueous solution was evaluated yielding information regarding the effect of polymer synthesis (type and concentration of functional monomer, concentration of cross-linker) on the resulting membranes' recognition properties. UV spectroscopic studies of the interactions with terbumetone revealed that AMPS forms a stronger complex than MAA and AA. In agreement with that finding, imprinting with AMPS gave higher affinities than with MAA and AA. The terbumeton-imprinted membranes showed significantly higher sorption capability to this herbicide than to similar compounds (atrazine, desmetryn, metribuzine). With the novel surface modification technology, the low non-specific binding properties of the hydrophilized microfiltration membrane could successfully be combined with the receptor properties of molecular imprints, yielding substance-specific molecularly imprinted polymer composite membranes. The high affinity of these synthetic affinity membranes to triazine herbicides together with their straightforward and inexpensive preparation provides a good basis for the development of applications of imprinted polymers in separation processes such as solid-phase extraction.