Molecularly imprinted polymers for pesticide detection and removal (R-6911)

Today, a very high percentage of pesticides are used to enhance the yield of crops and to preserve food. Several pesticides are associated with surface and groundwater contamination. Pesticides or biocides are generally designed to kill, which makes them harmful also for humans since the targeted systems are often similar to human systems. Good control over the use of pesticides is mandatory, which includes the necessity to detect and separate these substances from contaminated water sources. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can be employed to approach both problems, the sensing of contaminants, as well as the selective removal from drinking water sources. MIPs are obtained when the target molecule is present during a crosslinking polymerization where the functional groups the monomer are arranged around the template molecule through non-covalent or covalent interactions. After polymerization, the subsequent removal of the template leaves cavities that are capable of rebinding the target molecule with high specificity. If the interactions between target and polymer are strong enough, these materials can be used to purify water supplies.

Keywords:MOLECULAR IMPRINTED POLYMERS, pesticides, water purification

Disciplines:Organic chemistry, Process engineering, Polymeric materials