Using molecularly imprinted polymeric spheres for hybrid membranes with selective adsorption of bisphenol A derivatives

Hybrid membranes of polyethersulfone were prepared by embedding molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) spheres, which showed selective binding targeted for bisphenol derivative compounds. The MIP spheres were prepared using high-shear dispersion and modified precipitate polymerization of divinylbenzene and bisphenol A dimethacrylate. The preparation process and properties of the hybrid molecularly imprinted polymer (HMIP) membranes were reported in terms of its advantages of the MIP spheres for recognition and the resultant HMIP membranes for the selective adsorption of bisphenol A derivatives.

► Micro-size MIP spheres were synthesized by MPP and HSDP methods.
► MPP spheres were finer and more uniform than those of HSDP.
► Hybrid membranes containing resultant spheres were fabricated and characterized.
► The HMIP-MPP membranes proved to be better absorbent for BPA derivatives.