Abstract: Molecular imprinting is a method to produce specific binding sites in synthetic polymers (MIP). Intrinsically, a highly crosslinked polymer network is needed for this method, thus presenting a material which cannot be further processed easily. A controlled preparation of nanoscopic MIP allows to overcome this limitation. Here, we present the preparation and characterization of nanoMIP by miniemulsion polymerization. Poly(methacrylic acid)-co-(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) particles were synthesized in presence of various amino acid derivatives as molecular templates. Coagulate-free and stable latexes were obtained in a yield of 98 ± 2 %, which were characterized by surface tension measurements, gravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, TEM, 1H- and 13C-CP-MAS-NMR, and BET. The efficiency of the imprinting process was quantified by ligand binding experiments, showing best selectivity if a molar ratio of MAA/EGDMA of 0.25:1 is used. The nanoMIP can be used for molecular recognition both in suspension as well as deposited at a surface.

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