Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization

In a groundbreaking approach, Cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) has been successfully incorporated as a functional monomer to synthesize molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) through bulk polymerization, opening new avenues for advanced material development. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was used as a second monomer...

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Main Authors: Chuin, Lim Xiang, Thangaraja, Karthiyaani A/P, Praveena, Sarva Mangala, Yahaya, Noorfatimah, Johari, Ili Syazana, Tejo, Bimo Ario, Kamaruzaman, Sazlinda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2025
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/1/121077.pdf
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author Chuin, Lim Xiang
Thangaraja, Karthiyaani A/P
Praveena, Sarva Mangala
Yahaya, Noorfatimah
Johari, Ili Syazana
Tejo, Bimo Ario
Kamaruzaman, Sazlinda
author_facet Chuin, Lim Xiang
Thangaraja, Karthiyaani A/P
Praveena, Sarva Mangala
Yahaya, Noorfatimah
Johari, Ili Syazana
Tejo, Bimo Ario
Kamaruzaman, Sazlinda
author_sort Chuin, Lim Xiang
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description In a groundbreaking approach, Cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) has been successfully incorporated as a functional monomer to synthesize molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) through bulk polymerization, opening new avenues for advanced material development. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was used as a second monomer, with dimethylformamide (DMF), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and ammonium persulfate (APS) serving as the porogen, crosslinker, and initiator, respectively. In this study, two CB[6] to MAA ratios (MIP 1:80 and MIP 1:100) were tested, aiming for selectivity toward atrazine (AT) in aqueous media. The structure of the MIPs was analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confirming that CB[6] was successfully polymerized. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of both MIPs, while FESEM revealed rough, wrinkled, and folded morphology. MIP 1:100 exhibited a rougher surface with less uniform pores than MIP 1:80. Thermal stability study demonstrated that increasing the MAA concentration reduces the polymer’s thermal stability. A preliminary adsorption study was conducted under specific conditions (pH 6, initial AT concentration: 10 ppm, adsorbent dosage: 20 mg, contact time: 120 min, and room temperature). MIP 1:80 showed higher removal efficiency (28.9%) than MIP 1:100 (17.2%), suggesting that these MIPs are suitable for adsorption studies and can be further enhanced by optimizing the ratio and adsorption conditions in future research. This novel polymer could have significant potential for applications in selective adsorption, catalysis or as a sensor due to its unique structure and thermal properties.
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spelling upm-1210772025-10-27T05:16:01Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/ Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization Chuin, Lim Xiang Thangaraja, Karthiyaani A/P Praveena, Sarva Mangala Yahaya, Noorfatimah Johari, Ili Syazana Tejo, Bimo Ario Kamaruzaman, Sazlinda In a groundbreaking approach, Cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) has been successfully incorporated as a functional monomer to synthesize molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) through bulk polymerization, opening new avenues for advanced material development. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was used as a second monomer, with dimethylformamide (DMF), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and ammonium persulfate (APS) serving as the porogen, crosslinker, and initiator, respectively. In this study, two CB[6] to MAA ratios (MIP 1:80 and MIP 1:100) were tested, aiming for selectivity toward atrazine (AT) in aqueous media. The structure of the MIPs was analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confirming that CB[6] was successfully polymerized. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of both MIPs, while FESEM revealed rough, wrinkled, and folded morphology. MIP 1:100 exhibited a rougher surface with less uniform pores than MIP 1:80. Thermal stability study demonstrated that increasing the MAA concentration reduces the polymer’s thermal stability. A preliminary adsorption study was conducted under specific conditions (pH 6, initial AT concentration: 10 ppm, adsorbent dosage: 20 mg, contact time: 120 min, and room temperature). MIP 1:80 showed higher removal efficiency (28.9%) than MIP 1:100 (17.2%), suggesting that these MIPs are suitable for adsorption studies and can be further enhanced by optimizing the ratio and adsorption conditions in future research. This novel polymer could have significant potential for applications in selective adsorption, catalysis or as a sensor due to its unique structure and thermal properties. Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2025 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/1/121077.pdf Chuin, Lim Xiang and Thangaraja, Karthiyaani A/P and Praveena, Sarva Mangala and Yahaya, Noorfatimah and Johari, Ili Syazana and Tejo, Bimo Ario and Kamaruzaman, Sazlinda (2025) Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization. Journal of Polymer Research, 32 (6). art. no. 215. pp. 1-11. ISSN 1022-9760; eISSN: 1572-8935 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10965-025-04436-7?error=cookies_not_supported&code=37a21901-e106-446a-a367-678a99f823b9 10.1007/s10965-025-04436-7
spellingShingle Chuin, Lim Xiang
Thangaraja, Karthiyaani A/P
Praveena, Sarva Mangala
Yahaya, Noorfatimah
Johari, Ili Syazana
Tejo, Bimo Ario
Kamaruzaman, Sazlinda
Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization
title Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization
title_full Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization
title_fullStr Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization
title_full_unstemmed Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization
title_short Cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization
title_sort cucurbit[6]uril as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers: synthesis, structural and thermal characterization
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121077/1/121077.pdf