Hybrid imprinted membranesd as tools for selective recognition of quercetin

Hybrid imprinted membranes exhibiting specific recognition properties towards the quercetin (the template) were developed. In this perspective, an imprinted copolymer of acrylonitrile, using acrylamide as functional co-monomer was synthesized. For comparison, a non-imprinted polymer was also prepared. Various membranes were produced by dispersing different copolymer amounts in a poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK-WC) matrix. Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared analysis confirmed the presence of the polymer into the hybrid system. Membrane permeability was in the ultrafiltration range (70-180 l/h×m2×bar). The addition of polymer to the support membrane determined a slight decrease of the membrane hydrophobicity. The solvent uptake degree was very low (between 1.2% and 1.32%), suggesting a weak interaction between the polymer and the binding solvent. No significant change in the mechanical properties were observed