Fabrication of Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor for Selective Detection of Propranolol Hydrochloride

A sensitive molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was fabricated for selective detection of propranolol hydrochloride by electropolymerization of dopamine on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The electrochemical performance and morphology of the imprinted sensor were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The test conditions were optimized and the selective response to the structurally similar compounds of propranolol hydrochloride was studied. The results showed that the sensor had the advantage of good selectivity and the sensitivity increased greatly due to the introduction of MWNTs. A linear relationship was obtained between the current and the concentration of propranolol hydrochloride over a range from 0.20 μM to 100 μM with a detection limit of 2.53 × 10−8 M (S/N = 3). Moreover, the sensor exhibited excellent stability and reproducibility.