The Ohio State University

Susan V Olesik

Joseph W Zewe

Jeremy Kenneth Steach

Matthew R Callstrom

Tina M Engel

Jonathan E Clark

Preparation of a molecularly imprinted carbon is described. The molecularly imprinted carbon has a surface that is imprinted on the molecular level for a specific template molecule of interest, making it highly selective for analytes corresponding to at least a portion of the template molecule. Devices including the molecularly imprinted carbon and their use in methods of detecting analytes are also described. As an example, dibutyl butylphosphonate (DBBP), a surrogate for chemical warfare agents, was used as a template molecule. Electrospun molecularly imprinted SU-8 and pyrolyzed polymer (PP) solid-phase microextraction (SPME) devices were prepared; their ability to preferentially extract DBBP from an aqueous matrix, with and without interferences present, was evaluated via comparison with non-imprinted SU-8 and PP SPME fibers. The electrospun devices demonstrated a higher selectivity for DBBP, as evidenced by their extraction time profiles. The MI-SPME fibers tested extracted at least 60% more DBBP than their non-imprinted counterparts.

Molecularly imprinted carbon

A supported nanofiber medium useful for segregating chemical species is provided by selecting a polymer, selecting a substrate; and electrospinning the polymer to form a nanofiber medium on the supporting substrate. When the substrate is a planar surface, the nanofiber medium will be a mat suitable for conducting chromatographic separation. When the substrate is a filament, the nanofiber medium is an annular mat suitable for solid phase microextraction. The nanofiber media formed may be selectively cross-linked and at least partially carbonized to carbon nanofibers. The nanofiber medium is supported on the substrate without the use of binder material.

Electro-spun fibers and applications therefore

A separation process includes producing low temperature glassy carbon from an aromatic oligomeric precursor with acetylene groups and using the resultant glassy carbon as the stationary phase in a separation process. Glassy carbon with preselected selectivity and retention characteristics can be generated by controlling the temperature of which the glassy carbon is processed.

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Dublin, OH, United States of America

Susan V Olesik