A novel high selective and sensitive para-nitrophenol voltammetric sensor, based on a molecularly imprinted polymer–carbon paste electrode

By using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as a recognition element, the design and construction of a high selective voltammetric sensor for para-nitrophenol was formed. Para-nitrophenol selective MIP and a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized, and then used for carbon paste (CP) electrode preparation. The MIP–CP electrode showed greater recognition ability in comparison to the NIP–CP. It was shown that electrode washing after para-nitrophenol extraction led to enhanced selectivity, without noticeably decreasing the sensitivity. Some parameters affecting sensor response were optimized and a calibration curve was plotted. A dynamic linear range of 8 × 10−9 to 5 × 10−6 mol L−1 was obtained. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated as 3 × 10−9 mol L−1. Thus, this sensor was used successfully for the para-nitrophenol determination in different water samples.