Bio-inspired adhesion: Fabrication of molecularly imprinted nanocomposite membranes by developing a hybrid organic-inorganic nanoparticles composite structure

Inspired from the highly bioadhesive performance of mussel protein, a straightforward synthetic method for highly dense imprinting of artemisinin (Ars) was developed to prepare bio-inspired porous molecularly imprinted nanocomposite membranes (MINCMs). The key design for the successful synthesis of MINCMs is the formation of an organic-inorganic hybrid structure at the surface of polydopamine-modified regenerated cellulose membranes (PDA at RCMs). In this regard, the polydopamine coating surfaces could be used as a versatile platform for the further coating of inorganic nanoparticles. After a bio-inspired adhesion process, a larger active surface area and layered structure could be obtained at the surface of PDA at RCMs, hence promoting the preparation of the novel MINCMs with excellent perm-selectivity performance and regeneration ability. Moreover, the as-prepared MINCMs not only exhibited an outstanding adsorption capacity (54mgg^-1), but also showed an excellent perm-selectivity (separation factor β is 15.03) toward Ars, which is promising for Ars separation and purification. An imprint membrane with nanoparticles composite structure was first prepared. Highly binding capacity and enhanced separation property are obtained.Dopamine was first used for synthesizing molecularly imprinted nanocomposite membrane.This special structure endowed the as-prepared membrane with excellent selectivity.