Polymer Cookery:  Influence of Polymerization Conditions on the Performance of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Abstract

A set of polymers has been imprinted with (−)-ephedrine at six different temperatures, ranging from −30 to +80 °C. Polymer affinity and specificity were observed to be strongly dependent on the polymerization temperature. The experimental results suggest that the polymer is able to “memorize” the temperature used in the polymerization process in a manner similar to previously documented MIP “memory” effects for the template and polymerization solvent. In a study of the effect of temperature on retention and selectivity in HPLC (using the MIP as a column packing), a clear gradient change in the Van't Hoff plots was observed at 20−30 °C. This indicates a transition in binding mechanism from exothermic at higher temperatures to endothermic at lower temperatures. These results, supported by the evidence of template-induced MIP swelling, are interpreted in terms of desolvation and conformational changes in the polymers induced by the interaction with the template.

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years up to and including 2003

“…340,363,855,[863][864][865][866][867] While lower initiation temperatures may aid MIP preparation in some instances, the observation was made that the internal temperature within a monolith is much higher than the surroundings, due to the exothermal nature of the polymerization process. 867 High pressure has also been investigated for its effect on MIP synthesis, of the pre-polymerization complex. Moderate beneficial effects of high pressure were seen.…”

“…The effect of polymerization temperature on MIP performance has been the subject of several studies. 340,363,855,[863][864][865][866][867] While lower initiation temperatures may aid MIP preparation in some instances, the observation was made that the internal temperature within a monolith is much higher than the surroundings, due to the exothermal nature of the polymerization process.867 High pressure has also been investigated for its effect on MIP synthesis, 868 since it may favour associative processes such as formation Porogen effects. The choice and quantity of porogenic solvent used in a polymerization recipe affects both the imprinting process and the physical state (pore structure, pore size distribution, swellability, toughness and morphology) of the MIP.…”

Theoretical and Computational Strategies for the Study of the Molecular Imprinting Process and Polymer Performance

“…Among these variables, it is generally accepted that the choice of the stoichiometry of polymer components as well as the temperature and pressure during synthesis are factors of major importance [61][62][63]. With this in mind, the use of in silico techniques for better understanding or optimizing these factors should afford savings in terms of time and cost for MIP production.…”

Fiber optic sensor modified by grafting of the molecularly imprinted polymer for the detection of ammonium in aqueous media

“…На процесс молекулярного импринтинга и, следовательно, на такие свойства полимера, как селективность, оказывает влияние целый ряд факторов: тип и концентрация мономера [13], концентрация аналита [14], тип раство-рителя [13,15], условия проведения реакции, т.е. температура, давление, продолжительность [15][16][17][18]. Несмотря на существенный прогресс, достигнутый в понимании механизма влияния вышеперечислен-ных факторов на свойства импринтированного полимера, общие рекомендации по выбору состава и ус-ловий синтеза полимеров в настоящее время не разработаны.…”