AgNPs-PDA-GR nanocomposites-based molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for highly recognition of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol

A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for high recognition of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol based on molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) was successfully constructed. The sensitive and selective layer was Ag nanoparticles-polydopamine-reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode (AgNPs-PDA-GR/GCE), which was following coupled with electro-polymerization of o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) on the surface of AgNPs-PDA-GR/GCE in the presence of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol as a template molecule. Due to the enhanced electron transfer rate of AgNPs-PDA-GR composites, the specific recognition of imprinted cavities, as well as the strong pi-pi stacking and hydrogen bonding between PDA-graphene and 2,4,6-TCP, MIPs/AgNPs-PDA-GR/GCE showed highly sensitive and selective recognition for 2,4,6-TCP. The electrochemical responses of imprinted sensor presents two dynamic linear relationships across the range of 2.0 similar to 10.0 nM and 10.0 similar to 100.0 nM with a detection limit of 0.7 nM. Further, the concentration of 2,4,6-TCP in water was determined by MIPs/AgNPs-PDA-GR/GCE and the recovery was about 96.4 similar to 103.3%. This study provides a new platform and design concept for the quantitative analysis of 2,4,6-TCP in real samples.