An amorphous polyetheretherketone known as PEEK-WC and a
β
-cyclodextrin derivative (O-octyloxycarbonyl-
β
-CD),
insoluble in water, were used to prepare flat sheet membranes by the diffusion induced phase separation. It was found that the
β
-CD derivative entrapped in membranes is able to form a com
plex with naringin, a bitter component present in grapefruits.
The recognition properties of the
β
-CD derivative immobilized in the PEEK-W
C membranes towards naringin have been
investigated as a function of the amount of
β
-CD derivative present in the casting solution. A significant improvement of the
efficiency of the O-octyloxycarbonyl-
β
-CD was observed when an inclusion complex with naringin in the membrane was
formed compared to when the
β
-CD derivative is dispersed in an aqueous solution of naringin. Washing with an alkaline
solution allows an easy regeneration of the membranes and pe
rmits their reuse. No recognitio
n properties were found for
PEEK-WC membranes made without the
β
-CD derivative