Metal ion-imprinted polymer prepared by the combination of surface template polymerization with postirradiation by gamma-rays

Zinc ion-imprinted polymers were prepared by the combination of surface template polymerization and irradiation by gamma-rays. Dioleyl phosphate, which has two C-C double bonds in the oleyl chains, and divinylbenzene were employed as a functional monomer and a cross-linking agent, respectively. After the surface template polymerization with water-in-oil emulsions, the imprinted resins were irradiated with gamma-rays to make the polymer matrices more rigid and also to allow the functional monomer to attach firmly to the matrices. The irradiated imprinted resin exhibits a tremendously high selectivity toward zinc ions over copper ions. Thus it is understood that the postirradiated imprinted polymers are characterized by stable and highly specific recognition sites. The combination of surface template polymerization with irradiation with gamma-rays offers a potential technique to construct highly selective molecular-recognizing polymers applicable to the adsorption of various water-soluble substances.