Selective detection of TNT using molecularly imprinted polymer microsphere

AbstractThe rapid detection of nitroaromatic explosive in low concentration sample or complex matrices is of importance. In this paper, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) molecularly imprinted polyvinyl alcohol microspheres, MIP-CPVA, are synthesized in inverse suspension system using TNT as template, PVA as functional polymer, and glutaraldehyde as cross-linker. The MIP-CPVA possesses high affinity, specific recognition ability, and excellent selectivity towards TNT. The saturated adsorption capacity could reach to 10.62 mg g−1, and the selectivity coefficients relative to DNT is 12.44. In additional, MIP-CPVA can be used as the column packing of gas chromatograph to separate and detect nitroaromatic, and the result is very satisfactory.