IMPRINTED MEMBRANES FOR SENSOR TECHNOLOGY - OPPOSITE BEHAVIOR OF COVALENTLY AND NONCOVALENTLY IMPRINTED MEMBRANES

New types of polymeric membranes with molecular recognition sites for L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), 6-amino-1-propyluracil (APU), atrazine, and s ialic acid have been prepared using the molecular imprinting approach. The membrane synthesis includes radical polymerization of ethylene gl ycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) and functional monomers in the presence of a template. Several compounds(-)-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEA EM), methacrylic acid (MAA), allylamine (AA), and (4-vinylphenyl)-boro nic acid-were as functional monomers, which are able to form covalent, ionic, or hydrogen bonds with the corresponding templates. Template s pecific conductometric sensors, based on these polymers, were construc ted and studied. An opposite response of covalently versus noncovalent ly imprinted membranes was demonstrated and discussed in detail. Senso rs based on these materials could detect the target molecules at conce ntrations of 1-50 mu M in solution. The high specificity and stability of these imprinted membranes render them promising alternatives to en zymes, antibodies, and other natural receptors usually used in sensor technology.