An electrochemical MIP sensor for selective detection of salbutamol based on a graphene/PEDOT:PSS modified screen printed carbon electrode

Abstract

A sensitive electrochemical MIP sensor for salbutamol detection based on a graphene nanocomposite modified screen-printed carbon electrode was successfully demonstrated. Insertion of the graphene/PEDOT:PSS layer prior to the MIP was aimed at enhancing the sensitivity of the sensor. Selection of a functional monomer was carried out using 1H-NMR titration and a computational calculation was used to further investigate the template-monomer interactions. The MIP layer was constructed on top of the highly conductive nanocomposite by co-electropolymerization of 3-aminophenylboronic acid and o-phenylenediamine in the presence of salbutamol. Using differential pulse voltammetry under optimal conditions, a linear response in the range of 1 nM to 1.2 μM, with an exceptional detection limit of 100 pM (S/N = 3) was obtained. The established sensor exhibited good reproducibility, reusability and stability. Additionally, good selectivity in discriminating salbutamol from other structurally related compounds could also be realized. Determination of salbutamol in real swine meat and feed samples was also successfully carried out with good recovery results. © 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry.