WATERMIM

Water Treatment by Molecularly Imprinted Materials

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The present “WATERMIM” proposal is focused on the advancement and optimization of the MIP technology in order to produce functional materials with well-defined morphologies with respect to pore structure and selectivity for water treatment applications. The project aims at the elimination of the random distribution and the uneven accessibility of receptor sites in the volume of the imprinted material that is crucial for its performance. Such novel materials will immediately gain practical relevance, especially, due to their increased selectivity and superior stability under long and harsh technical conditions. The simultaneous optimization of the imprinting efficiency, polymer membrane morphology and separation conditions will enable the development of a truly molecular selective water purification process, based on affinity interactions that would have a large application impact on the water treatment industry. All types of synthetic organic compounds (i.e., triazines, pharmaceutical compounds and endocrine disruptors) are considered target compounds in the WATERMIM project. More specifically, the present project aims at the following S&T objectives: • Selection of template molecules and synthesis of functional monomers. • Optimization of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) composition by computational design techniques and combinatorial screening. • Synthesis of well-defined MIP nanoparticles and microgels. • Production of novel composite membranes utilizing preformed MIP nanoparticles. • Production of composite filters both on organic and inorganic supports via novel grafting techniques. • Synthesis of molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) for molecular sensor applications. • Separation and catalytic decomposition of the pollutants. • Advanced monitoring of the target compounds. • Benchmark testing of the produced MIMs for water purification.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU research project is developing and testing a nanoparticle system that can be used to remove specific compounds from polluted water.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Drinking water is increasingly contaminated by synthetic organic compounds, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds, which pose a major threat to human health. Current treatment methods are not specific to these compounds and often result in ineffective or incomplete water treatment.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are a promising new material that can be imprinted with the template of common pollutants, creating a specific lock-and-key recognition mechanism. A European consortium seeking to produce functional MIPs for selective and effective water purification initiated the EU-funded http://lpre.cperi.certh.gr/watermim/ (WATERMIM) (Water treatment by molecularly imprinted materials) project.

Scientists first used computational modelling and high-throughput screening to determine optimal MIP composition for selectivity. MIP nanoparticles were then created using large-scale, cost-effective polymerisation techniques.

Researchers selected the most promising techniques and used them to produce MIPs for three trial compounds. Investigators produced composite membranes containing the MIPs and studied their performance in continuous purification processes.

Scientists also investigated combined systems for separation and breakdown of pollutants, concluding that a two-step process was more effective than a simultaneous approach. Finally, the project examined the breakdown of pollutants to better understand the action of the MIP membranes at a molecular level.

WATERMIM will deliver highly selective and sensitive water purification technology for hazardous synthetic chemicals that threaten public health. The membranes can be used for monitoring and sensing as well, and applications to numerous other fields are likely to follow.