Efficient one-pot synthesis of artemisinin-imprinted membrane by direct surface-initiated AGET-ATRP

•Molecularly imprinted membrane was synthesized to selectively separate Ars.•A molecular imprinting method based on AGET ATRP was developed on PVDF membrane.•Batch rebinding studies were conducted to determine selective permeation and adsorption performance.•The reusability of MIMs showed no obviously deterioration at least five repeated cycles.

Highly selective molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) for artemisinin (Ars) were synthesized by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization using Activators Generated by Electron Transfer (AGET-ATRP) on the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) micro-filtration membrane. The resulting membranes were characterized by ATR-FTIR and SEM. Batch rebinding studies were conducted to determine the adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and selective permeation performance. The estimated adsorption capacity of MIMs toward Ars by the Langmuir isotherm model was 3.46 mg g−1 at 25 °C. The kinetic property of MIMs was well-described by the pseudo-second-order rate equation. The results of selective recognition experiments demonstrated outstanding affinity and selectivity toward Ars over competitive antibiotics (artemether). The selective permeation experiments were investigated to prove the excellent selective permeation performance of MIMs. The reusability of MIMs showed no obviously deterioration at least five repeated cycles in performance.

Graphical abstractHighly selective molecularly imprinted membranes (MIM) for artemisinin (Ars) was synthesized to separate Ars based on Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization using Activators Generated by Electron Transfer (AGET ATRP) for the first time.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide