Molecularly imprinted polymer using β-cyclodextrin as functional monomer for the efficient recognition of bilirubin

Bilirubin (BR) imprinted polymer was successfully prepared using supramolecular host compound β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as functional monomer. The adsorption equilibrium was attained in about 4 h, which indicated that the adsorption kinetics was comparatively fast. The results of adsorption and selectivity experiments indicated that BR-imprinted β-CD polymer was able to bind BR specifically and reversibly. The specific recognition of BR-imprinted β-CD polymer for BR may be due to the cooperative effects of inclusion interaction and hydrogen bonding. This BR-imprinted β-CD polymer was further applied to eliminate BR in human serum sample. It was verified that the binding specificity of the BR-imprinted polymer for BR was essentially sufficient in the presence of other compounds coexisting in serum sample. Therefore, as a reusable material possessing high affinity and selectivity, BR-imprinted β-CD polymer has a potential application perspective as a clinical hemoperfusion material.