Abstract: Template polymerization has been used to prepare polymeric materials for applications in molecular recognition. However, since the conventional one is conducted in the bulk from monomer, some problems arise ; e.g., slow rebinding kinetics and limited applicability to a water-soluble guest. We designed template polymerization at an oil-water interface. A surfacetemplated resin was prepared by an emulsion polymerization using oleic acid as a host monomer, divinylbenzene (DVB) as a resin matrix-forming monomer, and Cu2+ ion as the target. A phosphate-carrying surface-templated resin can be prepared as well. Another surface imprinting technique was developed based on a surface-carboxylated latex particle, which was swollen with DVB. The surface-mobile groups were reorganized through complexation with the target on the surface and then immobilized by crosslinking of DVB. These two methods can imprint the template structure on a resin surface, resulting in the rapid, reversible and unusually strong complexation with the target.
Template and target information: copper ion, Cu(II)