A magnetic hydrophilic molecularly imprinted material with multiple stimuli-response properties for efficient recognition of bisphenol A in beverages

A magnetic hydrophilic molecularly imprinted material (MIM) with multiple stimuli-responses was prepared for efficient recognition of bisphenol A (BPA). MIM consisted of a magnetic core, an inner silica dioxide shell and an outer hydrophilic polymer shell, responsive for rapid magnetic separation, protection of the magnetic core and pH-/thermo-sensitivity to BPA, respectively. Controlled adsorption and release of BPA by pH/temperature regulation were realized through the reversible components of poly[N-isopropylacrylamide- co -2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (NIPAM-DMAEMA)] (PND). The resultant MIM possessed superior affinity, selectivity and kinetics to BPA in aqueous solution. MIM was successfully applied to detect BPA in beverages via dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), exhibiting satisfactory recoveries of 80.70–108.18% with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 6.08%. The limit of detection of BPA was obtained as low as 3.75 nmol/L. The versatile MIM could be a promising alternative for extraction/removal of BPA in complicated samples by multiple-stimuli regulations.