Molecularly imprinted polymers
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsTracy J. Terry, Andrew F. Mason, Carl A. Marrese
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Abstract
Disclosed is a cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer including cross-linked chitosan having selective binding sites for phosphate ions, phosphate containing molecules, or a combination of both.
Claims21
A cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer comprising:
- cross-linked molecularly imprinted chitosan having complementary molecular cavities that have a selective binding affinity for phosphate ions, phosphate containing molecules, or a combination of both.
A process for preparing a cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer, the process comprising (a) providing a reaction product of chitosan and a phosphate template molecule in a polar solvent;
- (b) crosslinking the reaction product of step (a) with a crosslinking agent;
- and (c) removing the phosphate template molecule to provide a cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer comprising cross-linked chitosan having complementary molecular cavities that have a selective binding affinity for phosphate ions, phosphate containing molecules, or a combination of both.
A process for preparing a cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer, the process comprising (a) providing an aqueous solution including at least chitosan, a phosphate template molecule and a blocked crosslinking agent in an aqueous solvent;
- (b) removing the aqueous solvent from the solution to form a solid;
- (c) heating the solid to a temperature sufficient to unblock the blocked crosslinking agent and form a cross-linked chitosan with the phosphate template molecule bound thereto;
- and (d) removing the phosphate template molecule to provide a cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer comprising cross-linked chitosan having selective binding sites for phosphate ions, phosphate containing molecules, or a combination of both.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.