Molecularly imprinted electrochemical biosensor based on chitosan/ionic liquid–graphene composites modified electrode for determination of bovine serum albumin

• A novel and simple protein molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was fabricated.
• The sensor was based on chitosan/ionic liquid-graphene modified glassy carbon electrode.
• The prepared sensor showed excellent performance for the detection of bovine serum albumin.

A novel and simple protein molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor (MIPs/CS/IL–GR/GCE) based on chitosan/ionic liquid–graphene modified glassy carbon electrode (CS/IL–GR/GCE) was fabricated via electrochemical polymerization, which could be used for the sensitive and selective detection of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The synergistic effects of chitosan, ionic liquid and graphene nanocomposites improved the electrochemical response and the sensitivity of the sensor. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) and differential pulse voltammery (DPV) were used to characterize the sensor and investigate the electrochemical response of the sensor. The prepared MIPs/CS/IL–GR/GCE exhibited a linear relationship between the changes of current response and the logarithms of BSA concentrations in the range from 1.0 × 10−10 to 1.0 × 10−4 g/L (R = 0.996) with a detection limit of 2 × 10−11 g/L. Moreover, the fabricated sensor possessed a high selectivity, good reproducibility, excellent stability and acceptable recovery, which indicating potential application in clinical field.