Selective and sensitive detection of tetrabromobisphenol-A in water samples by molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor

A highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for detecting trace tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) in water samples was fabricated using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs). MMIPs were prepared via one pot sol-gel method and then used as recognition elements to prepare MMIPs-modified carbon paste (MMIPs/CP) electrode. Several parameters affected the preparation of MMIPs, and the imprinted sensor was described in detail. Synergistic effects of conductive magnetic nanoparticles and selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) improved the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor. MMIPs/CP electrode exhibited excellent current response toward TBBPA, compared with the carbon paste electrodes made of magnetic non-molecularly imprinted polymers (MNIPs)/CP, traditional MIPs, non-molecularly imprinted polymers (NIPs) and CP. The prepared sensor also displayed good selectivity for TBBPA compared with structurally similar compounds. The linear range for determining TBBPA was from 5.0 nM to 2000 nM with the detection limit of 0.77 nM (S/N = 3). The developed sensor was successfully applied to directly detect TBBPA in tap water, rain, and pool water samples. The results were validated by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV spectrometry.