A facile approach for preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers layer on the surface of carbon nanotubes

A convenient imprinting method for the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) layer on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is described. In this method, 9-vinylanthracene was introduced to the surface of MWCNTs, forming vinyl group functionalized MWCNTs. Then the grafting copolymerization of methacrylic acid and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate in the presence of theophylline as template molecular led to the formation of MIPs-MWCNTs composite. The formation of continuous and nanoscale MIPs layer (thickness about 10–15 nm) would be due to the homogeneous and high-density vinyl groups on the surface of MWCNTs. The resulting surface-imprinted MWCNTs composite showed high binding capacity and good specific recognition behaviour towards template molecule.