RADIATION-INDUCED SYNTHESIS OF MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS

A new synthetic procedure for preparation of molecularly imprinted pol ymers (MIPs) was developed. The polymerization process was initiated b y gamma-radiation, in the model system with (+/-)-menthol as a templat e molecule. The thermal stability of MIP was investigated by thermogra vimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, while the spe cific surface area was determined from Brumauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm . Adsorption properties and recognition capabilities of MIPs were exam ined by comparison of the adsorption isotherms of menthol and camphor (test molecule) from n-hexane. The adsorption isotherms corresponded t o Langmuir type adsorption, and the difference between adsorbate-adsor bent interaction energies was clarified. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd .