Role of Functional Monomers upon the Properties of Bisphenol A Molecularly Imprinted Silica Films

Abstract

In this study, two types of bisphenol A molecularly imprinted films (BPA-MIP) were successfully prepared via sol-gel derived methods using two different organosilane functional monomers N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (DAMO-T) or (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTES). The physical-chemical characterization of films, in terms of morphology, structure, thermal analysis, and optical features, suggested that thinner films with a homogenous porous structure were more likely to retain BPA molecules. The MIP films revealed the rapid and quantitative adsorption of BPA, registering the most specific binding in the first five minutes of contact with the BPA-MIP film. Silica films were effectively regenerated for further usage for at least five times, demonstrating their high stability and reusability. Even if the performance of films for BPA uptake dropped dramatically after the third adsorption/reconditioning cycle, this synthesis method for BPA-MIP films has proven to be a reliable and cheap way to prepare sensitive films with potential application for re-usable optical sensors.

Applications of Molecularly Imprinted Films

“…These aspects are very important because, given the porosity and morphology, the obtained materials can be used for different applications [133,[136][137][138]. This synthesis method presents multiple advantages, namely mild synthesis conditions (for example, the synthesis can be performed at room temperature), the obtained materials possess good optical high thermal stability and high porosity, which can be corelated with a high surface area [139][140][141]. The sol-gel materials can be prepared in different forms, including thin films (for sensors and coatings) [14,[141][142][143], composites (such as alumina reinforced materials), particles (for solid-phase extraction or for incorporation in thin films for sensor [138].…”

“…This synthesis method presents multiple advantages, namely mild synthesis conditions (for example, the synthesis can be performed at room temperature), the obtained materials possess good optical high thermal stability and high porosity, which can be corelated with a high surface area [139][140][141]. The sol-gel materials can be prepared in different forms, including thin films (for sensors and coatings) [14,[141][142][143], composites (such as alumina reinforced materials), particles (for solid-phase extraction or for incorporation in thin films for sensor [138]. combining the sol-gel method with molecular imprinting, performant sensitive layers can be obtained for sensor development (Figure The Guney and his team [146] proposed the preparation of an MIP film using sol-gel method, in order to develop an electrochemical sensor for theophylline (TP) detection.…”