Synthesis and Characterization of Modified Polydimethylsiloxane Nanomembrane for Chiral Separation

Polydimethylsiloxane-2-[2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-propionylamino] -3-phenyl-propanoic acid (PDMS-BCPA) is a newly developed stereo-specific membrane that interacts with S configuration of enantiomers as chiral recognition sites. In this study, realization of PDMS-BCPA nanomembrane was achieved via anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template synthesis approach followed by the attachment of synthesized chiral selector (BCPA) using simple immersion method. The effect of surface modification and the attachment with chiral selector were investigated and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic (FE-SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopic (AFM) methods. The characterization via these methods indicates the synthesized BCPA as chiral selector was successfully attached onto the PDMS surface. The enantioselectivity of PDMS-BCPA nanomembrane was verified by the separation of alpha cypermethrin enantiomer.