Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are widely used in bio sensing because they have the ability to act as receptors for a specific molecule of interest. The affinity towards the targeting molecule is achieved by copolymerizing that molecule (template) with cross-linking monomers to form a polymer, then removing the template molecule to expose the potential binding sites. Sulphapyridine is recognized as a sulfanilamide antibiotic and a by-product the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine, hence, was selected as the molecule of interest. Sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy was used to characterize the MIPs. SFG spectroscopy is a surface specific, non-linear optical technique which has the ability to yield vibrational spectra of molecules at different interfaces. The polymer solution was made by methacrylic acid monomer, a cross linker, an initiator and sulfapyridine. The polymer solution was spin coated on fused silica and silicon substrates and then cured under UV radiation. The washing solution was prepared by combining methanol, acetic acid and water to remove the template molecule. SFG spectra were acquired at multiple IR centers during and after the MIP synthesis. SFG spectra have shown the contribution of vibrational modes from both polymer matrix and template molecule at the polymer surface. For example, the removal of the template molecule after washing was shown by disappearance of the S=O vibrational signal coming from sulfapyridine at ~1600 cm<sup>-1</sup>. SFG spectral analysis will be done after exposing the MIPs to a solution of sulphapyridine to ensure the successful binding of the molecule after the synthesis.

Synthesis and characterization of molecularly imprinted polymers using sum frequency generation spectroscopy

ACS Fall 2021

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