Recognition of 6-benzyladenine using a molecularly imprinted membrane on a cellulose acetate support

A molecularly imprinted polymer membrane was prepared on a cellulose acetate support by the photopolymerization of methacrylic acid and a cross linker, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, in the presence of the template molecules of 6-benzyladenine (BA). The polymeric membrane morphologies were visualized by scanning electron microscopy and its selectivity was evaluated by a permeation test. The association ratio and apparent association constant of the complex formed between the methacrylic acid and BA were determined by cyclic voltammetry, and are 1 : 1 and 204.9, respectively. These results indicated that there existed some complementary cavities on the imprinted membrane corresponding in size, shape, and functional groups to the template molecules of BA. Hence, the imprinted membrane was able to recognize BA. It is predicted that this molecularly imprinted membrane may be applicable to the assay of BA or for the preparation of a molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for the determination of BA in plant samples.