Development of functionalized nanostructured polymeric membranes for water purification

•Target specific molecularly imprinted polymers nanoparticles (MIPNPs) were synthesized.•MIPNPs were successfully incorporated into PVDF membrane and visualized with SEM.•Capacity analyses of molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) were performed by HPLC.•Nanostructured polymeric membrane is capable to capture targets from water.•A pilot test was conducted indicating high potential of water purification using MIMs.