Using AuNPs-modified screen-printed electrode in the development of molecularly imprinted polymer for artificial bioreceptor fabrication to improve biosensor sensitivity for 17β-estradiol detection

Abstract

In this work, we reported on the development of a sensor platform for the detection of 17β-Estradiol (E2). The artificial receptors for targets were fabricated on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-modified screen-printed carbon ink electrode. This is an applicable technical solution to overcome main limitations of current membrane molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology. The AuNPs layer will increase specific area of electrode, hence increasing number of imprinted analyte molecules to polymer membrane. Especially, the harmonic distribution of AuNPs on the electrode helps to generate a single oriented monomer layer on the electrode. In turn, this layer helps to generate a highly homogeneous membrane of polymer with thickness of only several single layers to easily remove imprinted molecules from polymer matrix to form highly specific cavities, thus increasing the efficiency of the fabrication of artificial MIP bioreceptors. Our fabricated sensors showed the capability of detection limit (LOD) of 2 fM. The sensor also demonstrated reduced cost (cost of carbon ink printed electrode but can use as gold ink printed electrode), detection platform simplicity, and high reproducibility.