CHED 362 |
| In this study, a monomer mixture for molecular imprinting of estradiol was optimized for minimal particle size and narrow size distribution. The estrogen-imprinted polymer was optimized based on monomer chain length, PEG (Poly(ethylene glycol))/monomer solution ratio, and monomer solution/water ratio. The challenges of minimizing bead size and size distribution were: initiating with UV light at a low temperature to decrease thermal motion and improve imprinting, and using water as a solvent instead of the more commonly used perfluorocarbons. While PEG is necessary for the synthesis of spherical particles, the primary factors that affect polymer size and size distribution are polymer chain length and the solvent to polymer ratio. The specificity of the imprinted polymer will allow for the rapid screening of molecules of interest in a complex mixture. The optimized polymer will be used to develop protocol for the rapid screening of various estrogens in the local watershed. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |