Molecularly imprinted nanofiber membranes

In membrane separation, the incorporation of a given target molecule into a membrane is an important process to express permselectivity. Molecular imprinting method is an easy way to introduce molecular recognition sites into synthetic membranes. Applying an alternative molecular imprinting, various polymeric materials can be converted into membranes with molecular recognition sites toward a given target molecule. In membrane separation, flux values, and permselectivities, which often show a trade-off relationship, are important membrane performances. In a sense, the enhancement of flux is more important than that of permselectivity. Molecularly imprinted nanofiber membranes, which are fabricated by simultaneously applying an alternative molecular imprinting and an electrospray deposition, have potential that both flux and permselectivity can be simultaneously enhanced.

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► An alternative molecular imprinting is a facile way to introduce molecular recognition site.
► Polymers can be converted into molecularly imprinted membranes by an alternative molecular imprinting.
► Molecularly imprinted nanofiber membranes simultaneously enhance permselectivity and flux.
► A breakthrough in membrane performance is realized by molecularly imprinted nanofiber membranes.