Synthesis and characterization of stigmasterol imprinted polymers with precipitation polymerization method

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) are porous materials that have an active binding site and can recognize specific target molecules. MIP synthesis was carried out by precipitation polymerization method using toluene as a porogen solvent and stigmasterol molecule as a template molecule. The synthesized NIP and MIP were characterized using FTIR and SEM-EDS. The ability of MIP adsorption on Stigmasterol was determined by concentration measurements using UV-Vis. The results of the characterization using FTIR showed that the functional groups that influence the formation of NIP and MIP are -OH, -CH, C=C, and -C=O. Characterization using SEM shows that the surface morphology of MIP is rougher than NIP. Characterization using EDS showed that there was a decrease in mass% by 2.54% and C% atom by 2.08% in MIP after extracting the Stigmasterol molecule. The ability of MIP adsorption on stigmasterol was 0.204 mg /g, while the ability of NIP adsorption on stigmasterol was 0.040 mg / g. The ability of MIP adsorption to stigmasterol molecules is better than NIP. Therefore, MIP can be used as an adsorbent to adsorb stigmasterol in sample extracts.