Development of molecularly imprinted porous polymers for selective adsorption of gaseous compounds

To achieve selective adsorption of gaseous compounds, we synthesized the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). In this study, we utilized two different types of MIPs, the first one was examination of the effect by the porogen imprinting, and another was authentic molecular imprinting by template and a functional monomer. The results of BET evaluation of MIPs showed that the specific surface area were depended on octanol–water partition coefficient (log Pow) between cross-linker and porogenic solvents, also became larger as log Pow of porogen being closer to that of cross-linker. Furthermore, the adsorption performance per unit weight of MIPs was observed under single gas adsorption by using MIPs prepared with target compound as porogenic solvents. As results, each MIP which was prepared with chloroform or toluene showed selective adsorption for each vapor in point of the adsorbed amount. Thus, MIPs tended to have selective adsorption ability for the used porogen in preparation. Additionally, the Gas-MIPs prepared with a functional monomer and template molecule adsorbed target compound in selectively as increase the amount of functional monomer and template molecule. Consequently, the authentic molecular imprinting method could be worked for the effective adsorption of gaseous compounds as well as the general procedures in solution.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We synthesized the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for gaseous compounds. ► The specific surface area of MIPs was depended on log Pow of monomers and solvents. ► MIPs tended to have selective adsorption ability for the used porogen in preparation. ► Authentic MIPs using functional monomer can be worked for gaseous compounds.