Development of molecularly imprinted cryogels for antibiotics removing from enviromental water

In the thesis study, molecularly imprinted cryogels containing different amounts of complex molecule was prepared for antibiotics removal from environmental water. Template molecule of vancomycin imprinted polymeric materials were synthesized by cryopolimerization in the presence of functional monomers, N-methacryloyl-L-aspartic acid (MAAsp) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Structural and morphological analysis of vancomycin imprinted cryogel were carried out by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Swelling characteristics of the cryogels (swelling capacity and swelling ratio) were also determined. In order to determine the adsorption capacity and the kinetics study, optimum concentration, pH, temperature and time parameters were evaluated. According to the results optimum concentration, pH, temperature and time parameters were 250 mg/L, 8.0, 25°C and 120 minutes, respectively. In the selectivity studies, tobramycin and gentamycin, which are also found in environmental water and have similar structures as vancomycin were used. Non imprinted polymers were also prepared to evaluate the imprinting efficacy of vancomycin imprinted cryogels.