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Polyacrylate copolymers based porous polymer films were synthesized. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of electron microscopy images of the surface of obtained films were carried out. Dodecanol, cyclohexanol, low-molecular PEG, and their mixtures were shown to be effective porogens for porous materials production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method of synthesis of phenol-selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membranes was developed. The MIP membranes were used as a basis for new analytical test-systems for qualitative and quantitative detection of phenols in aqueous solutions. The developed test-systems work according to the principle of "litmus paper", while colour staining remains stable during several months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent results devoted to methods of components compatibilization in polymer blends as well as synthesis and investigation of structure and properties of binary polymer blends was summarized and systematized. Regularities of inter- and intra-molecular physical bonds network formation and the influence on phase structure and properties of heterogeneous systems based on functionalized polymers are thoroughly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the methods of the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, X-ray scattering and scanning electronic microscopy the microphase structure and properties of water-permeable polymer films based on polyurethane-polyurethaneacrylate semi-IPNs were studied. The parameters of porous (size, form and size distribution) were found to be a function of content of linear component, and the heterogeneity level of structure and size of microareas of heterogeneity to depend in a small extent on composition of researched systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An easy-to-use colorimetric test-system for the efficient detection of creatinine in aqueous samples was developed. The test-system is based on composite molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membranes with artificial receptor sites capable of creatinine recognition. A thin MIP layer was created on the surface of microfiltration polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes using method of photo-initiated grafting polymerization. The MIP layer was obtained by co-polymerization of a functional monomer (e.g. 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, itaconic acid or methacrylic acid) with N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linker. The choice of the functional monomer was based on the results of computational modeling. The creatinine-selective composite MIP membranes were used for measuring creatinine in aqueous samples. Creatinine molecules were selectively adsorbed by the MIP membranes and quantified using color reaction with picrates. The intensity of MIP membranes staining was proportional to creatinine concentration in an analyzed sample. The colorimetric test-system based on the composite MIP membranes was characterized with 0.25 mM detection limit and 0.25-2.5mM linear dynamic range. Storage stability of the MIP membranes was estimated as at least 1 year at room temperature. As compared to the traditional methods of creatinine detection the developed test-system is characterized by simplicity of operation, small size and low cost., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Portable biomimetic sensor devices for the express control of phenols content in water were developed. The synthetic binding sites mimicking active site of the enzyme tyrosinase were formed in the structure of free-standing molecularly imprinted polymer membranes. Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes with the catalytic activity were obtained by co-polymerization of the complex Cu(II)-catechol-urocanic acid ethyl ester with (tri)ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate, and oligourethaneacrylate. Addition of the elastic component oligourethaneacrylate provided formation of the highly cross-linked polymer with the catalytic activity in a form of thin, flexible, and mechanically stable membrane. High accessibility of the artificial catalytic sites for the interaction with the analyzed phenol molecules was achieved due to addition of linear polymer (polyethyleneglycol Mw 20,000) to the initial monomer mixture before the polymerization. As a result, typical semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were formed. The cross-linked component of the semi-IPN was represented by the highly cross-linked catalytic molecularly imprinted polymer, while the linear one was represented by polyethyleneglycol Mw 20,000. Extraction of the linear polymer from the fully formed semi-IPN resulted in formation of large pores in the membranes' structure. Concentration of phenols in the analyzed samples was detected using universal portable device oxymeter with the oxygen electrode in a close contact with the catalytic molecularly imprinted polymer membrane as a transducer. The detection limit of phenols detection using the developed sensor system based on polymers-biomimics with the optimized composition comprised 0.063 mM, while the linear range of the sensor comprised 0.063-1 mM. The working characteristics of the portable sensor devices were investigated. Storage stability of sensor systems at room temperature comprised 12 months (87%). As compared to traditional methods of phenols detection the developed sensor system is characterized by simplicity of operation, compactness, and low cost., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)