Monocrotophos molecularly imprinted microspheres prepared by precipitation polymerization in acetonitrile

Molecularly imprinted microspheres (MIP) for monocrotophos have been prepared by precipitation polymerization in acetonitrile (ACN) 60 degrees C, 24h, using methacrylic acid (MAA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 2,2-azobisiobutyronitrile (AIBN) as functional monomer, cross-linker and initiator, respectively. The recognition mechanism was elucidated by UV-vis spectra and computer modeling. Equilibrium binding experiment was employed to investigate the rebinding properties, Scatchard analysis showed that specific binding sites formed in the imprinted microspheres, and there were two kinds of binding sites, one was high binding sites, the other was low binding sites. This microspheres can be useful affinity absorbent used for organophosphorus pesticides separation and purification in food and environmental analysis.