Electrochemically synthesized molecularly imprinted polymers for sensing applications

Abstract

A novel imprinting scheme, combining for the first time electropolymerization with metal-ion coordination, has been proposed. A MIP for a pesticide (4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB)) has been prepared from a Co-porphyrin (Co(III)tetrakis(o-aminophenyl) porphyrin (CoTAPP)) as functional monomer. Such an approach aims to combine advantages of electropolymerization with ones related to the use of metal complexes in imprinting procedures. After verification of template entrapment and subsequent removal by XPS spectroscopy, the imprinting effect was verified by comparing electrochemical responses of MIP and not-imprinted polymer (NIP) tested by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). MIP revealed an enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards 2,4-DB reduction as well as a good selectivity against both pesticides and structurally related compounds. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.