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Voltammetric sensor for theophylline using sol–gel immobilized molecularly imprinted polymer particles

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Abstract

Sensors incorporating molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are feasible in concept though the reproducibility of such devices can be compromised by the large number of interdependent steps. For this reason, many researchers have focused on the synthesis of MIP particles only, not on their immobilization. Herein is presented a sol–gel based method for immobilization of unmodified MIP particles for use in an electrochemical sensor. The macroporous particles were prepared using precipitation-polymerization and imprinted with theophylline. The sol–gel was combined with graphite microparticles (50 μm) and the composite was deposited on the surfaced of an epoxy-graphite electrode. The sensor was then tested for its response to theophylline using differential pulse voltammetry. A limit of detection of 1 μM was observed and a relative standard deviation of 6.85 %. The electrode can be regenerated via a thermal washing process which was accompanied by an initial signal loss of 29.3 %. Any further regeneration caused a signal loss of 2.4 % only.

A voltammetric sensor for the preferential detection of theophylline is prepared based on molecularly imprinted microspheres immobilized in a sol-gel layer. The use of precipitated polymer microparticles allows for the effective regeneration of the sensor using an acidic wash.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Union under Grant Agreement number PITN-GA-2010-264772 (ITN CHEBANA), by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCINN, Madrid, Spain) through the project CTQ2010-17099 and by the Catalonia program ICREA Academia.

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  1. Sensors and Biosensors Group, Department of Chemistry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain

    Ferdia Bates & Manel del Valle

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  1. Ferdia Bates
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  2. Manel del Valle
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Correspondence to Manel del Valle.

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Bates, F., del Valle, M. Voltammetric sensor for theophylline using sol–gel immobilized molecularly imprinted polymer particles. Microchim Acta 182, 933–942 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1413-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1413-4

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