Structural Analysis and Diffusional Behavior of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Networks for Cholesterol Recognition

Novel configurational biomimetic polymers for the recognition of cholesterol were prepared by molecular design of methacrylate-based structures containing poly(ethylene glycol) in moderately and highly cross-linked networks. Preparation in thermodynamically balanced solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and dimethyl sulfoxide led to recognitive systems with increased recognitive capacity after 30 min. Microporous and nanoporous networks were prepared. Their molecular structure was analyzed using a cross-linked network structure theory. It was determined that the recognitive capacity of these gels would be influenced by the diffusive resistance, as the molecular ratio of the template to the nanopore (mesh) size was in the range of 0.3−0.8. Use of porogens improved the porous structure, while at the same time significantly decreasing the time lag of recognition.