Fabrication and evaluation of molecularly imprinted regenerated cellulose composite membranes via atom transfer radical polymerization

A simple and effective method for surface molecularly imprinted composite membranes (MICMs) for artemisinin (Ars) based on regenerated cellulose membranes was first prepared through surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and the as-prepared MICMs were then evaluated as adsorbents for selective recognition and separation of Ars molecules. Batch rebinding studies were conducted to determine the specific adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and selective permeation performance. The adsorption capacity of MICMs toward Ars by the Langmuir isotherm model was 2.008 mg g−1, which was nearly 5.0 times higher than non-molecularly imprinted composite membranes (NICMs). The kinetic property of MICMs was well-fitted by the pseudo-second-order rate equation. The selective permeation experiments were successfully investigated to prove the excellent selective permeation performance for Ars than the competitive analog (artemether).

Graphical abstractSynthesis of molecularly imprinted composite membranes (MICMs) using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) for selective recognition and adsorption of artemisinin (Ars).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide