Man‐Tailored Biomimetic Sensor of Molecularly Imprinted Materials for the Potentiometric Measurement of Rivastigmine in Tablets and Biological Fluids and Employing the Taguchi Optimization Methodology to Optimize the MIP‐Based Membranes

This work proposes a novel biomimetic sensor for the potentiometric transduction of rivastigmine based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). Using the Taguchi method, this study analyzed the optimum conditions for preparing the MIP‐based membranes. The rank order of each controllable factor was also determined. MIP‐based membranes exhibited a Nernstian response (30.7±1.1 mV decade^?1) in a concentration range from 1.0×10^?5 to 1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 with a LOD of 6.3×10^?6 mol L^?1. The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of rivastigmine concentrations in human serum, plasma, urine, rat brain and tablets.     

A Biomimetic Potentiometric Sensor Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for the Cetirizine Assay in Tablets and Biological Fluids

Despite the increasing number of applications of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in analytical chemistry, the construction of a biomimetic potentiometric sensor remains still challenging. In this work, a biomimetic potentiometric sensor, based on a non‐covalent imprinted polymer was fabricated for the recognition and determination of cetirizine. The MIP was synthesized by precipitation polymerization, using cetirizine dihydrochloride as a template molecule, methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross linking agent. The sensor showed high selectivity and a sensitive response to the template in aqueous system. The MIP‐modified electrode exhibited Nernstian response (28.0±0.9 mV/decade) in a wide concentration range of 1.0×10^?6 to 1.0×10^?2 M with a lower detection limit of 7.0×10^?7 M. The electrode has response time of ca. 20 s, high performance, high sensitivity, and good long term stability (more than 5 months). The method was satisfactory and used to the cetirizine assay in tablets and biological fluids.     

Design and Development of Imprinted Polymer Inclusion Membrane‐Based Field Monitoring Device for Trace Determination of Phorate (O,O‐Diethyl S‐Ethyl Thiomethyl Phophorodithioate) in Natural Waters

A biomimetic potentiometric field monitoring device was developed for the trace determination of phorate (O,O‐diethyl S‐ethyl thiomethyl phophorodithioate) in natural waters. The sensing element was fabricated by the inclusion of phorate imprinted polymer materials in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. The sensor surface can be reused without conditioning unlike most other conventional sensors. Operational parameters such as amount and nature of plasticizers sensing material, pH and response time were optimized. The response characteristics of the non‐imprinted (NIPIM) and imprinted polymer inclusion membrane (IPIM) sensors for phorate were compared under optimum conditions. The IPIM sensor responds linearly to phorate in the concentration in the ranges 1×10^?9 to 1×10^?6 M and 1×10^?6 to 1×10^?5 M of different slopes with a detection limit of 1×10^?9 M. The selectivity was tested with various common organophosphorous (OP) pesticides and herbicides. In addition to superior sensitivity and selectivity of IPIM over NIPIM‐based sensor, IPIM‐based phorate sensor was found to be stable for 3 months and can be used for more than 40 times without any loss in sensitivity. The applicability for analyzing ground, river and tap‐water samples was successfully demonstrated via recovery studies.     

Development and application of the tartrazine voltammetric sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers

A modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared as an electrochemical voltammetric sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer film for tartrazine (TT) detection. The sensitive film was prepared by copolymerization of tartrazine and acrylamide on the carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode. The performance of the imprinted sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in detail. Under the optimum conditions, two dynamic linear ranges of 8?×?10^?8 to 1?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1 and 1?×?10^?6 to 1?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 were obtained, with a detection limit of 2.74?×?10^?8?mol?L^?1(S/N?=?3). This sensor was used successfully for tartrazine determination in beverages.     

Potentiometric propranolol-selective sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer

A novel potentiometric sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for propranolol, an adrenergic-blocking drug, was designed. The influence of molecularly imprinted polymer particle content and sodium tetraphenylborate additives in polyvinylchloride membrane was shown. The electrodes show near-Nernstian responses down to 10^?4–10^?5?M propranolol concentration. The potentiometric response of MIP-based sensor for propranolol in mixed nonaqueous medium was shown at first. Sensor selectivity relative to various inorganic cations, atenolol and metoprolol, was reported. Direct potentiometry was used to determine propranolol in aqueous modeling solutions and pharmaceutical preparations with good results.     

Selective Electrochemical Determination of Salicylic Acid in Wheat Using Molecular Imprinted Polymers

Salicylic acid is a phytohormone, playing crucial roles in signal transduction, crop growth, and development, and defense to environmental challenges. In this study, a highly selective electrochemical sensor was designed and used to determine salicylic acid using molecularly imprinted polymers for recognition. The electrochemical sensor was fabricated via stepwise modification of gold nanoparticle–graphene–chitosan and molecularly imprinted polymers on a glassy carbon electrode. With electrochemical deposition, a gold nanoparticle–graphene–chitosan film was deposited on the glassy carbon electrode and enhanced the sensitivity. Molecularly imprinted polymers with adsorbed template salicylic acid were added to the surface of the modified electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the modified electrodes. Salicylic acid in wheat was quantified by the sensor using the molecularly imprinted polymer/gold nanoparticle–graphene–chitosan/glassy carbon electrode. Concentrations of salicylic acid from 5?×?10^?10 to 5?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 were determined showing that the developed sensor was suitable for the analysis of food.     

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of 5-[(3-Methylthiophene-2-yl-methyleneamino)]-2-mercaptobenzimidazole and Its Potentiometric Sensor Application in a Polyvinyl Chloride Membrane for the Determination of Copper(II)

A novel Schiff base designated as 5-[(3-methylthiophene-2-yl-methyleneamino)]-2-mercaptobenzimidazole was synthesized and characterized. A polyvinyl chloride-membrane potentiometric copper(II)-selective sensor was prepared by using the synthesized 5-[(3-methylthiophene-2-yl-methyleneamino)]-2-mercaptobenzimidazole compound. The prepared polyvinyl chloride-membrane copper(II)-selective sensor exhibited very good selectivity and sensitive potentiometric response towards copper(II) ions compared to a wide variety of other cations. The sensor had a fast response time of <5?s, and showed a linear Nerstian behavior to copper(II) ions over a wide concentration range from 1.0?×?10^?5 to 1.0?×?10^?1 mol L^?1 with a slope of 29.2?±?0.7 and correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The prepared polyvinyl chloride-membrane copper(II)-selective sensor was used for 14 weeks without any significant change in its potentiometric response. The potentiometric response of the developed sensor was highly repeatable. Additionally, the developed sensor was used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of copper(II) ion with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The sensor was also successfully applied to the direct determination of copper(II) ions in tap water, river water, and dam water samples.     

Flow‐Through Assay of Quinine Using Solid Contact Potentiometric Sensors Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Miniaturized potentiometric membrane sensors for quinine incorporated with molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) were synthesized and implemented. Planar PVC based polymeric membrane sensors containing quinine‐methacrylic and/or acrylic acid‐ethylene glycol methacrylate were dispensed into anisotropically etched wells on polyimide wafers. The determination of quinine was carried out in acidic solution at pH 6, where positively charged species predominated prevalently. The suggested miniaturized planner sensors exhibited marked selectivity, sensitivity, long‐term stability and reproducibility. At their optimum conditions, the sensors displayed wide concentration ranges of 4.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?2mol L^?1 and 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 with slopes of about 61.3–55.7 mV decade^?1; respectively. Sensors exhibit detection limits of 1.2×10^?6 and 8.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 upon the use of methacrylic and acrylic acid monomers in the imprinted polymer, respectively. Validation of the assay method according to the quality assurance standards (range, within‐day repeatability, between‐day variability, standard deviation, accuracy, and good performance characteristics) which could assure good reliable novel sensors for quinine estimation was justified. Application of the proposed flow‐through assay method for routine determination of quinine in soft drinks was assayed and the results compared favorably with data obtained by the standard fluorimetric method.     

Highly Selective Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensor for Indium Detection Based on Recognition of In‐Alizarin Complexes

A highly selective molecularly imprinted polymer electrochemical sensor for In³⁺ detection was proposed. In³⁺ ion was chelated with alizarin red S to form a complex In‐ARS. The complex was used as the template molecule to prepare a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based sensor. The selectivity of the sensor was improved significantly due to the three‐dimensional specific structure of the complex, and the selective complexation of ligands for metal ions. Moreover, the sensitivity of the proposed sensor was improved by recording the reductive current of ligand in complex. This technique was highly sensitive for quantitative analysis of In³⁺ in the concentrations ranged from 1×10^?8 mol/L to 2.5×10^?7 mol/L with a detection limit of 4.7×10^?9 mol/L. The proposed sensor has been successfully used in detecting In³⁺ in real samples.     

Novel Potentiometric Sensors of Molecular Imprinted Polymers for Specific Binding of Chlormequat

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) were used as potentiometric sensors for the selective recognition and determination of chlormequat (CMQ). They were produced after radical polymerization of 4‐vinyl pyridine (4‐VP) or methacrylic acid (MAA) monomers in the presence of a cross‐linker. CMQ was used as template. Similar non‐imprinted (NI) polymers (NIP) were produced by removing the template from reaction media. The effect of kind and amount of MIP or NIP sensors on the potentiometric behavior was investigated. Main analytical features were evaluated in steady and flow modes of operation. The sensor MIP/4‐VP exhibited the best performance, presenting fast near‐Nernstian response for CMQ over the concentration range 6.2×10⁻⁶–1.0×10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with detection limits of 4.1×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The sensor was independent from the pH of test solutions in the range 5–10. Potentiometric selectivity coefficients of the proposed sensors were evaluated over several inorganic and organic cations. Results pointed out a good selectivity to CMQ. The sensor was applied to the potentiometric determination of CMQ in commercial phytopharmaceuticals and spiked water samples. Recoveries ranged 96 to 108.5%.     

Electrochemical Determination of Copper(II) in Water Samples Using a Novel Ion-Selective Electrode Based on a Graphite Oxide–Imprinted Polymer Composite

A novel copper(II)-selective electrode based on graphite oxide/imprinted polymer composite was developed for the electrochemical monitoring of copper(II) (Cu²⁺) ions. The electrode exhibited highly selective potentiometric response to Cu²⁺ with respect to common alkaline, alkaline earth and heavy metal cations. The composite composition studies indicated that the most suitable composite composition performing the most promising potentiometric properties was 20.0% ionophore (Cu²⁺-ion imprinted polymer), 10.0% paraffin oil, 5.0% multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and 65.0% graphite oxide. The fabricated electrode exhibited a linear response to Cu²⁺ over the concentration range of 1.0?×?10^??6–1.0?×?10^??1?M (correlation coefficient of 0.9998) with a sensitivity of 26.1?±?0.9?mV decade^??1. The detection limit of the fabricated electrode was determined to be 4.0?×?10^??7?M. The electrode worked well in the pH range of 4.0–8.0. The electrode had stable, reversible and fast potentiometric response (3?s). In addition, the electrode had a lifetime of more than 1 year. The analytical applications of the proposed electrode were performed using as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid solution and for the determination of Cu²⁺ of spiked river, dam, and tap water samples. The obtained results for potentiometric titration and water samples were satisfactory.     

A sensitive electrochemical sensor modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes doped molecularly imprinted silica nanospheres for detecting chlorpyrifos

A highly sensitive and convenient electrochemical sensor, based on surface molecularly imprinted polymers and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, was successfully developed to detect chlorpyrifos in real samples. In order to solve the problems like uneven shapes, poor size accessibility, and low imprinting capacity, the layer of the molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared on the surface of silica nanospheres. Moreover, the doping of multiwalled carbon nanotubes greatly improved the electrical properties of developed sensor. Under the optimal conductions, the electrochemical response of the sensor is linearly proportional to the concentration of chlorpyrifos in the range of 5.0 × 10^?12‐5.0 × 10^?8 mol/L with a low detection limit of 8.1 × 10^?13 mol/L. The prepared sensor exhibited multiple advantages such as low cost, simple preparation, convenient use, excellent selectivity, and good reproducibility. Finally, the prepared sensor was successfully used to detect chlorpyrifos in vegetable and fruit.     

Chromium(III) Ion Selective Electrode Based on Oxalic Acid Bis(Cyclohexylidene Hydrazide)

A poly(vinyl chloride) membrane sensor based on oxalic acid bis (cyclohexylidene hydrazide) as membrane carrier was prepared and investigated as a Cr(III)‐selective electrode. The electrode reveals a Nernstian behavior (slope 19.8±0.4 mV decade^?1) over a wide Cr(III) ion concentration range 1.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?2 mol dm^?3 with a very low limit of detection (i.e., down to 6.3×10^?8 mol dm^?3). The potentiometric response of the sensor is independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 1.7–6.5. The electrode possesses advantage of very fast response, relatively long lifetime and especially good selectivity to wide variety of other cations. The sensor was used as an indicator electrode, in the potentiometric titration of chromium ion and in the determination of Cr(III) in waste water and alloy samples.     

A Polypyrrole‐Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor Based on Nano‐SnO2/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Film Modified Carbon Electrode for the Determination of Oleanolic Acid

A sensitive molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor with specific recognition ability for oleanolic acid was synthesized by modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) decorated with tin oxide nanoparticles (nano‐SnO₂/MWNTs) and polypyrrole‐imprinted polymer on a carbon electrode. The morphology and electrochemical performance of the imprinted sensor were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric i–t curve. The results showed that the imprinted sensor displayed excellent selectivity toward oleanolic acid. A linear relationship between the response currents and oleanolic acid concentrations ranging from 5.0×10^?8 g/L to 2.0×10^?5 g/L was obtained for the imprinted sensor. The limit of detection (LOD) of the imprinted sensor toward oleanolic acid was calculated as 8.6×10^?9 g/L at a signal to noise ratio (S/N) of 3. This imprinted sensor was successfully applied to the determination of oleanolic acid in Acitinidia deliciosa root samples.     

Novel potentiometric sensor for the determination of Cd2+ based on a new nano-composite

A novel ion selective carbon paste electrode for Cd²⁺ ions based on 2,2′-thio-bis[4-methyl(2-amino phenoxy) phenyl ether] (TBMAPPE) as an ionophore was prepared. The carbon paste was made based on a new nano-composite including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanosilica and room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF₆). The constructed nano-composite electrode showed better sensitivity, selectivity, response time, response stability and lifetime in comparison with typical Cd²⁺ carbon paste sensor for the successful determination of Cd²⁺ ions in water and in waste water samples. The best performance for nano-composite sensor was obtained with an electrode composition of 18% TBMAPPE, 20% BMIM-PF₆, 48% graphite powder, 10% MWCNT and 4% nanosilica. The new electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (29.95?±?0.10?mV?decade^?1) toward Cd²⁺ ions in the range of 3.0?×?10^?8 to 1.0?×?10^?1?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.5?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1. The potentiometric response of prepared sensor was independent of the pH of test solution in the pH range 3.0 to 5.5. It had a quick response with a response time of about 6?s. The proposed electrode showed fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions.     

Molecular Imprinting-Chemiluminescence Sensor for the Determination of Amoxicillin

The amoxicillin-imprinted polymer was synthesized with methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker. The binding characteristic of the imprinted polymer to amoxicillin was evaluated by equilibrium binding experiments. Using the imprinted polymer as recognition material, 3-(3′-nitrophenyl)-5(2′-sulfonylphenylazo)-rhodanine (4NRASP) was synthesized by the authors and was used as chemiluminescence (CL) reagent. A novel chemiluminescence (CL) sensor for the determination of amoxicillin was developed based on the CL reaction of amoxicillin with potassium permanganate in an acidic medium. The sensor displayed excellent selectivity and high sensitivity. The linear response range of the sensor was from 5.0 × 10^?9 to 1.0 × 10^?6 g · mL^?1 (r = 0.9985) and the detection limit was 1.3 × 10^?9 g · mL^?1. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 1.0 × 10^?7 g · mL^?1 amoxicillin solution was 1.7% (n = 11). The sensor was applied to the determination of amoxicillin in urine samples with satisfactory results.     

Clopyralid detection by using a molecularly imprinted electrochemical luminescence sensor based on the “gate-controlled” effect

A new strategy for trace analysis was proposed by preparing a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor. The template molecules of clopyralid were determined based on “gate-controlled” electrochemiluminescence (ECL) measurement. A dense polymer film was electropolymerized on an electrode surface to fabricate the MIP–ECL sensor. The process of template elution and rebinding acted as a gate to control the flux of probes, which pass through the cavities and react on the electrode surface. ECL measurement was conducted in the luminol–H₂O₂ system. A linear relationship between ECL intensity and clopyralid concentrations in the range of 1?×?10^?9 mol/L to 8?×?10^?7 mol/L exists, and the detection limit was 3.7?×?10^?10 mol/L. The prepared sensor was used to detect clopyralid in vegetables. Recoveries of 97.9 % to 102.9 % were obtained. The sensor showed highly selective recognition, high sensitivity, good stability, and reproducibility for clopyralid detection.     

Preparation of Cu (II) imprinted polymer electrode and its application for potentiometric and voltammetric determination of Cu (II)

The Cu (II) imprinted polymer glassy carbon electrode (GCE/Cu-IP) was prepared by electropolymerization of pyrrole at GCE in the presence of methyl red as a dopant and then imprinting by Cu²⁺ ions. This electrode was applied for potentiometric and voltammetric detection of Cu²⁺ ion. The potentiometric response of the electrode was linear within the Cu²⁺ concentration range of 3.9 × 10^?6 to 5.0 × 10^?2 M with a near-Nernstian slope of 29.0 mV decade^?1 and a detection limit of 5.0 × 10^?7 M. The electrode was also used for preconcentration anodic stripping voltammetry and results exhibited that peak currents for the incorporated copper species were dependent on the metal ion concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10^?8 to 1.0 × 10^?3 M and detection limit was 6.5 × 10^?9 M. Also the selectivity of the prepared electrode was investigated. The imprinted polymer electrode was used for the successful assay of copper in two standard reference material samples.     

An Electrochemical Sensor for L-Tryptophan Using a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Film Produced by Copolymerization of o-Phenylenediamine and Hydroquinone

An electrochemical sensor for L-tryptophan based on a molecularly imprinted polymer was developed. The sensing film was prepared by the co-electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine and hydroquinone on a gold electrode in the presence of L-tryptophan as the template. The performance of the L-tryptophan sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and alternating current impedance. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the relative current change was linear to the concentration of L-tryptophan in the range of 1.0 × 10^?8 to 1.0 × 10^?6 mol/L and a detection limit of 0.50 × 10^?8 mol/L was obtained. The sensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity for L-tryptophan. The imprinting factor was 3.58 and selectivity factors of L-tryptophan compared to analogs were larger than 2. The sensor also demonstrated good resistance to acidic, basic, and organic environments.     

Electrochemical sensor for determination of aflatoxin B1 based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes-supported Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

A sensitive and selective imprinted electrochemical sensor for the determination of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) was constructed on a glassy carbon electrode by stepwise modification of functional multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs), Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles (Au/PtNPs), and a thin imprinted film. The fabrication of a homogeneous porous poly o-phenylenediamine (POPD)-grafted Au/Pt bimetallic multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite film was conducted by controllable electrodepositing technology. The sensitivity of the sensor was improved greatly because of the nanocomposite functional layer; the proposed sensor exhibited excellent selectivity toward AFB₁ owing to the porous molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) film. The surface morphologies of the modified electrodes were characterized using a scanning electron microscope. The performance of the imprinted sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in detail. A linear relationship between the sensor response signal and the logarithm of AFB₁ concentrations ranging from 1?×?10^?10 to 1?×?10^?5 mol L^?1 was obtained with a detection limit of 0.03 nmol L^?1. It was applied to detect AFB₁ in hogwash oil successfully.