Molecularly imprinted polymer film grafted from porous silica for selective recognition of testosterone

A type of testosterone-imprinted polymer film grafted from porous silica was prepared by covalently binding azo-initiators and then photo-grafting. Elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectroscopy attested the polymer formation. The material could be polymerized within 10-60 min with reproducible grafting kinetics, controllable film thickness, and obviously specific recognition ability to testosterone with the imprinting factor of 1.52. Due to its uniform size, spherical shape, controllable film thickness, and accessible sites near or at the surface, this polymer could serve as a sensing element, solid-phase extraction material, or chromatographic stationary phase to selectively recognize or separate testosterone.