Physico-chemical characterization of flavonol molecularly imprinted polymers

Along the last decade considerable interest has been focused in deciphering the binding recognition process and the heterogeneity nature of binding sites in molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Density Functional Theory (DFT) was employed at B3LYP/6-31+G** level of theory, to investigate the intermolecular interactions between the template flavonol and the functional monomer (methacrylic acid). The solvent effect energy stabilization of the monomer and template in different solvents was investigated by using the polarizable continuum method (PCM). The MIP against flavonol prepared using methacrylic acid as functional monomer was then characterized in terms of specific bindings by using Scatchard plot analysis. The rebinding properties were analyzed by equilibrium/rebinding batch experiments using the Langmuir, Bi-Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir-Freundlich, Jovanovich, Bi-Jovanovich and Jovanovich-Freundlich isotherms. The imprinted polymer was also characterized by continuous flow experiments, SEM and BET surface area measurements. Parallel studies were carried out with the non-imprinted polymer as control material.