(337c) Analyzing the Interdependence of Polymer Chain Growth and Macromolecular Memory Creation In Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Molecular imprinting is an effective technique to create macromolecular memory within a polymer. It is generally accepted that polymer network formation affects macromolecular memory creation and subsequently, template binding and transport within the polymer network. In this work, we demonstrate that the converse is also true; that the presence of the template during polymerization has a significant impact on polymer chain growth. Polymerization reactions for poly(HEMA-co-DEAEM-co-PEG200DMA) networks were examined as the template (diclofenac) concentration in the pre-polymerization mixture was increased. GPC analysis of the polymer chains formed showed that the presence of template leads to a 29% decrease in the kinetic chain length (KCL) and nearly three fold increase in the polydispersity index (PDI). In addition we demonstrate that the living polymerization process not only negates the retardation of polymer chain growth due to template but also results in an improved memorization of template within the network. Thus, we investigate the interdependent relationship between polymer chain growth and macromolecular memory creation and offer a means of improving the network architecture. This work could have impact beyond the field of molecular imprinting and result in significant advances in the formation of better polymer networks.