NOVEL SEMI-COVALENT SYNTHESIS OF MOLECULAR IMPRINTED POLYMERS IN SCCO_2: MTP- SUPPORTED HYBRID MEMBRANES FOR SEPARATION BASED ON MOLECULAR RECOGNITION

摘要

Herein we report a novel method for the synthesis and processing of molecular recognition materials using supercritical fluid technology. Semi-covalently imprinted polymers with adsorption affinity to bisphenol A (BPA) were prepared for the first time in scCO_2, at 65°C and 21 MPa. BPA hydrolysis from the polymeric matrix was also performed in supercritical environment using a specific cleavage agent. Polymeric materials were then characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical performance, transport properties and adsorption ability. Results show that the materials with BPA-affinity binding sites are able to adsorb higher amounts of this compound when compared with other structurally related compounds, showing that supercritical fluid technology is a "greener" alternative to design molecularly imprinted devices for separation purposes.