Molecularly imprinted polymer microspheres prepared via the two‐step swelling polymerization for the separation of lincomycin

ABSTRACT A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized via a two‐step swelling polymerization method for the purification of lincomycin. Polystyrene microspheres were prepared by the dispersion‐polymerization process and used as the substrate. Methacrylic acid was used as the functional monomer, whereas ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was the cross‐linker. The MIP was structurally characterized and examined for its separation performance at different conditions (temperature, solvents, etc.). It was found that the MIP possesses the good sphericity, porosity, monodispersity, and a high adsorption capacity of (180 μmol/g) in chloroform solution. Comparison studies showed that the MIP presents a higher capacity than the NIP (non‐imprinted polymer) in chloroform solution and a much higher capacity in the practical lincomycin fermentation solution extracts, confirming the underlining mechanisms of the MIP. Scatchard plot revealed two adsorption mechanisms on the MIP, whereas the isotherm is better described by Freundlich equation. The adsorption/elution kinetics demonstrated that the MIP possesses good elution/regeneration capabilities with the elution ratio > 93%. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47938.