Improving the imprinting effect by optimizing template:monomer:cross-linker ratios in a molecularly imprinted polymer for sulfadimethoxine

Four non-covalently prepared molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for sulfadimethoxine (SDM) were prepared using different ratios of SDM template, methacrylic acid monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate cross-linker. The imprinting factor (IF) was calculated by comparing the retention of SDM on the imprinted polymer with a comparable non-imprinted polymer. The template:monomer:cross-linker ratio of 1:6:20 resulted in an IF of 3.94 which is higher than found in previous studies. A significant decrease in IF to 0.89 when template:cross-linker ratio was 1:40 contradicts most literature where higher cross-linker concentration improves selectivity. IF was 4.36 when 20% water was added to the acetonitrile HPLC mobile phase during evaluation. Retention of SDM increased as water concentration changed as: 20, 40, 0, 60 and 70%, indicating a combination of shape recognition, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions contributing to retention of analyte. The MIP has the potential for use in SPE for purification and concentration of SDM and with further optimization, possibly direct HPLC analysis.

► MIPs for sulfadimethoxine were prepared non-covalently.
► Imprinting factors for four template:monomer:cross-linker ratios were evaluated.
► Monomer ratio should at least equal the hydrogen bonding sites on the template.
► Excess monomer or cross-linker can decrease the imprinting factor.
► Retention of SDM on MIP by HPLC increases with higher water in mobile phase.