Synthesis of molecularly printed methyl methacrylate-based polymers for the detection of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and dibutyl phthalate

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) were obtained by precipitation polymerization for the detection of DEHP and DBP from polymer packaging in drinking water. MIP was obtained by cross-linking DEHP and DBP with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM). FTIR, SEM-EDS, UV-Vis and SAA were used to determine properties of polymers (MIP_DEHP, MIP_DBP). The obtained materials were characterized by a mesoporous structure with small, uniform, and porous grains. The surface area and total pore volume of MIP_DEHP were more than twice smaller than MIP_DBP, with a slightly larger pore diameter. Lower C content may indicate the formation of MIP_DEHP and MIP_DBP. The FTIR method confirmed the presence of functional groups –CH, –CO, –C=C and –C=O. The adsorption capacity of MIP_DEHP and MIP_DBP was 0.68 mg/g and 1.06 mg/g, respectively, and was consistent with the Freundlich isothermal adsorption model.