Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are polymers that have the ability to recognize specific molecules due to the presence of compatible and complementary cavities. Molecular recognition is based on copolymerization of selected functional monomers, cross-linkers and print molecules, followed by extractions to remove the template in order to free the imprinting cavities. MIPs can be applied for detoxification, as artificial antibodies and for the administration of certain drugs. The purpose of this research, is to develop MIPs for dopamine sensing. The efficiencies of direct contact and soxhlet extraction methods of template removal, were evaluated, with the soxhlet extraction process showing the greatest leaching capability. The contact extraction required five washes to remove over 95% of the template, while the soxhlet method needed only three changes of the 100.0 mL solvent to bring it down to below detectable amounts. The extent of rigidities of the polymers were tested through swelling studies in six different solvents of varying polarities. The batches that were synthesized with methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as the crosslinker showed the greatest swelling ability of 239.8% in pH 12 buffer. This may be attributed to the deprotonation of the carboxylic acid functional groups, leading to electrostatic repulsion on the polymer backbone. Initial results show an average rebinding of MIPs compared to the non-imprinted controls. Recognition of the dopamine analyte was greatest with the MBA crosslinked batch exhibiting an optimum rebinding when 0.040 mol of this monomer was used. The dopamine imprinted polymers exhibited no recognition when placed in contact with the dopamine analogs, tyramine, and norepinephrine.

Molecularly imprinted polymers for dopamine recognition

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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