Development and Validation of a Reaction Chamber for Controlled Molecular Imprinting

Abstract

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers are synthetic materials designed for selective analyte binding, with applications in chemical sensing, medical diagnostics, and targeted drug delivery. This study presents the development of a novel reaction chamber optimized for photoinitiated polymerization, addressing the challenge of reagent-induced degradation in UV-based MIP synthesis. The chamber, constructed from PTFE, features an ETFE window to ensure high UV transmittance while maintaining chemical resistance. An airtight seal, achieved using a perfluoroelastomer gasket, prevents reagent exposure to the environment. To validate its functionality, the chamber was assessed for chemical resistance, UV transmissivity, and hermeticity. The selected materials demonstrated excellent stability, with the ETFE layer transmitting 90% of 365 nm UV light. Pressure testing confirmed an effective seal, with minimal pressure fluctuations attributed to temperature variations. Application trials using the new chamber successfully produced MIPs, with polymerization results indicating a clear distinction between cortisol-containing samples and controls. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a porous morphology in cortisol-imprinted polymers, whereas control samples exhibited smooth surfaces, supporting successful molecular imprinting. The results highlight the effectiveness of the chamber in facilitating controlled polymerization while ensuring reproducibility and preventing unwanted reagent interactions.