Developing Polymeric Separating Agents to Mimic the Specificity of Protein Binding

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The proposed work is an initial step toward developing synthetic polymeric sorbents that mimic biological binding mechanisms. Proteins exhibiting multi-interactive mechanisms and competition at a particular site are selectively satisfied by those protein materials which most closely fit energetically a specific binding point. The research will initially demonstrate a separating agent capable of selectively absorbing solutes that require mechanisms which utilize both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. To develop improved separating agents by mimicing nature requires a thorough understanding of relevant mechanistic interactions. Although a large amount of information is being generated on how proteins bind to molecules, there is considerably less knowledge concerning solid-liquid adsorption mechanisms. Thus, it is proposed to initially examine three binding mechanisms; hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions and charge transfer complexation. Finally, in the later stages of the work it follows that these interactions will be coupled to develop separating agents which mimic biological binding. To provide a better understanding of these phenomena as well as to permit the extrapolation of these results, appropriate thermodynamic descriptions have been developed.