AUTHENTICATION OF PRODUCTS USING MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS

摘要

A method for identifying a product includes providing a solid body fabricated from at least a star molecularly imprinted polymer having molecular sized cavities adapted to selectively receive and bind molecules having a specific taggant molecular structure, the molecular sized cavities being disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of the body, and applying to the surface of the body a composition containing indicator molecules having a taggant moiety at one end having the taggant molecular structure and a marking function group tethered to the taggant moiety by a molecular chain, the taggant moieties engaging and binding to the molecular sized cavities so as to mark the portion of the surface of the body with the indicator molecules bound thereto, the marking functional groups rendering the marked portion of the surface perceptible with or without detection instrumentation. Preferably, the molecularly imprinted polymer is fabricated by RAFT polymerization.