Abstract: Selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with bisphenol A as template were synthesized using the non-covalent imprinting approach. MIPs were prepared using thermally initiated polymerization with 1,1'-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitryle) (ACHN) as initiator and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross-linking agent. The tested functional monomers included methacrylic acid, acrylamide, and 4-vinylpyridine. The selectivity of the BPA-MIP for the solid phase extraction of bisphenol A was tested in samples containing other related alkylphenols. The polymers prepared in acetonitrile using methacrylic acid or acrylamide as monomer showed the highest selectivity towards target analyte (the selectivity ratio 8:1, respectively for MIP and NIP). The proposed procedure has been proven to be an effective for selective extraction of bisphenol A in aqueous samples (recoveries over 85%) enabling detection and quantification limits of 25 and 70 μg/dm3, respectively based on 10 cm3 of sample volume, with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 6%. The obtained molecularly imprinted material showed interesting properties for selective extraction and preconcentration of studied analyte from large volumes of aqueous samples without any problems of cartridge clogging.
Template and target information: bisphenol A, BPA
Author keywords: bisphenol A, molecularly imprinted polymer, 1,1'-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile), water analysis, Solid-phase extraction