Molecularly imprinted polymers as viable sensors

Molecular imprinting is a technique where the creation of complimentary binding receptors can be uniquely tailored within a macroporous polymer. These macromolecular binding sites provide a wide variety of uses ranging from catalysis to chromatographic separation. In this dissertation the focus will be confined to molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as they relate to recognition elements within sensor designs (Chapter I). As a result of the limited selectivity inherent within MIPs, array formats have been adopted to exploit this cross reactivity providing a differential patterned response. By acquiring a molecules "fingerprint" via the MIP array accurate classification can be made (Chapter II).; Within this work two distinct modes of detection will be used. The first relies on direct detection from a spectroscopic feature common to all of the analytes tested (Chapter III). The second mode of detection utilizes an indicator displacement strategy expanding the sensor array to analytes who lack a spectroscopic handle.; The displacement strategy afforded two working systems highlighted in Chapters IV and V respectively. The first displacement array provided classification of seven amines using standard imprinting methods (Chapter IV). The second displacement study employed a synthesized functional monomer to assist in the differential response instilled during the imprinting process. Through the addition of a designed monomer six carbohydrate derivatives including anomeric and epimeric conformers were classified with 98% accuracy (Chapter V).; One final aspect presented uses a pH sensitive fluorophore to provide a 100 fold signal enhancement through the suppression of a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism whereby enlarging the dynamic range and increasing the selectivity of the displacement assay (Chapter VI). Contrary to previous displacements the fluorescent signal from the indicator is only generated while bound within the polymer. Utilizing this unique mechanism Chapter VII addresses current MIP sensor designs helping to accelerate detection through automation and increase portability via fiber optic probes.