Novel Semi-covalent Synthesis of Molecular Imprinted Polymers in Scco2: Mip- Supported Hybrid Membranes for Separation Based on Molecular Recognition

Herein we report a novel method for the synthesis and processing of molecular recognition materials using supercritical fluid technology. Semi-covalently imprinted polymers with adsorption affinity to bisphenol A (BPA) were prepared for the first time in scCO2, at 65 oC and 21 MPa. BPA hydrolysis from the polymeric matrix was also performed in supercritical environment using a specific cleavage agent. Polymeric materials were then characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical performance, transport properties and adsorption ability. Results show that the materials with BPA-affinity binding sites are able to adsorb higher amounts of this compound when compared with other structurally related compounds, showing that supercritical fluid technology is a “greener” alternative to design molecularly imprinted devices for separation purposes.