Abstract: Fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) specific for 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) have been synthesised using a novel monomer N-2-propenyl-(5-dimethylamino)-1-naphthalene sulfonamide. Three formats of the polymer were produced: a traditional bulk monolith ground into particles, a flexible, but highly cross-linked plasticiser-modified free standing membrane, and a hybrid material consisting of particles embedded in a poly(acrylonitrile) phase inversed film. Within all materials, a clearly defined imprinting effect was observed upon exposure to DNT vapour at room temperature. In all cases, preferential rebinding of DNT to the molecularly imprinted materials (3 - 5 times) over their non-imprinted (NIP) equivalents was evident within <10 min of contact with the DNT vapour stream. Fluorographic images of the fluorescent polymers showed the DNT binding-induced quenching to be significantly higher in the MIP material than in the non-imprinted control polymer
Template and target information: 2,4-dinitrotoluene, DNT