Abstract: This invention pertains to adsorption by an adsorbent of an adsorbate and to regeneration of the loaded adsorbent. The adsorption includes contacting an adsorbent selected from arylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes and derivatives thereof with an adsorbate selected from aromatics and heterocyclics, particularly monocyclic heterocyclics containing carbon and nitrogen atoms in a 6-member non-aromatic ring, for a period of time sufficient to adsorb all or part of the adsorbate by the adsorbent. Regeneration of the loaded adsorbent includes removing all or part of adsorbate from the adsorbent by means of an alcohol wash or by thermal desorption of the adsorbent containing adsorbate.

Abstract: This invention pertains to adsorption by an adsorbent of an adsorbate and to regeneration of the loaded adsorbent. The adsorption includes contacting an adsorbent selected from arylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes and derivatives thereof with an adsorbate selected from aromatics and heterocyclics, particularly monocyclic heterocyclics containing carbon and nitrogen atoms in a 6-member non-aromatic ring, for a period of time sufficient to adsorb all or part of the adsorbate by the adsorbent. Regeneration of the loaded adsorbent includes removing all or part of adsorbate from the adsorbent by means of an alcohol wash or by thermal desorption of the adsorbent containing the adsorbate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to mesoporous sorbent materials having high capacity, high selectivity, fast kinetics, and molecular recognition capability. The invention also relates to a process for preparing these mesoporous substrates through molecular imprinting techniques which differ from convention techniques in that a template molecule is bound to one end of bifunctional ligands to form a complex prior to binding of the bifunctional ligands to the substrate. The present invention also relates to methods of using the mesoporous sorbent materials, for example, in the separation of toxic metals from process effluents, paints, and other samples; detection of target molecules, such as amino acids, drugs, herbicides, fertilizers, and TNT, in samples; separation and/or detection of substances using chromatography; imaging agents; sensors; coatings; and composites.