Selective electrochemical sensor for theophylline based on an electrode modified with imprinted sol–gel film immobilized on carbon nanoparticle layer

• Synthesis of a new organofunctional silane, CoG–TEICPS has first been reported.
• CoG–TEICPS was introduced into sol–gel to create a specific cavity for theophylline.
• An electrochemical sensor based on an imprinted sol–gel film has been developed.
• Selective and sensitive determination of theophylline was achieved.

A novel electrochemical sensor based on an imprinted hybrid sol–gel film for selective and sensitive determination of theophylline was developed. The imprinted hybrid sol–gel film was prepared by using a new organosilane synthesized as a functional precursor, theophylline as a template and tetraethoxysilane as a matrix forming precursor. The mixture was allowed to hydrolyze, and then spin coated on glassy carbon electrode covered by carbon nanoparticles with sulfonic acid groups that were introduced for immobilization of imprinted sol–gel film and for enhancement of electronic transmission. The morphology and performance of the imprinted film were investigated in detail by scanning electron microscopy, FTIR Spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Molecularly imprinted sol–gel was employed to achieve a suitable conformation for electrochemical oxidation of theophylline and also to improve the selectivity of the sensor. The results showed that the imprinted film exhibited selectivity toward theophylline compared to the random sol–gel film prepared in the absence of the template. The imprinted sensor was also successfully employed to detect theophylline in a drug sample.

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