Transport of melamine by a new generation of nano-material membranes containing carbon nanotubes and determination with surface plasmon resonance

This study developed a surface plasmon resonance process for the determination of melamine by using a carbon nanotube inclusion polymeric membrane for the first time in the literature. It was prepared with a low-cost biosensor, which allowed the determination of melamine by molecular imprinted polymeric films in a one-step, selective, and sensitive way. For this purpose, the molecular imprinted sensors intended for the determination of melamine from a milk sample were developed. The study was achieved in three stages. In the first stage, melamine was transported by a new generation of carbon nanotube membrane, which was improved by adding nanomaterials. In the second stage, printed biosensor chips were produced for the determination of melamine. In the last stage, prepared biosensor chips were used for the determination and kinetic analysis of melamine in a surface plasmon resonance system. Melamine was transported from the milk sample with 82.87% efficiency at the end of ten days. The determination of melamine was achieved in a highly sensitive, selective, and easy way by preparing a melamine printed polymer nanofilm layer on the surface of the SPR's sensor chip. By using new generation carbon nanotube membranes (CNT/PIM), nano-reinforced membranes were developed, which included high permeability and mechanical strength against contamination, and the fulfill an active layer of the membrane was minimized.