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A mesh network of MnO nanowires and CNTs reinforced by molecularly imprinted structures for the selective detection of para-nitrophenol

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Abstract

Advanced material architecture can be used to develop tailor-made interfaces for innovative and selective sensor platforms. An intricate mesh structure of manganese oxide nanowires and carbon nanotubes was synthesized. Further, the mesh was strengthened by a molecularly imprinted network to generate template cavities and impart selective recognition. Termed as MIP@MnO:CNT, this mesh structure was used as the receptor interface for microarray transducers. The unique hybrid composition and morphology enhanced binding performance for detection of para-nitrophenol (P-NP), an important pollutant. The sensor showed exceptional sensitivity towards P-NP monitoring with a limit of detection of 3 nM (S/N = 3). Benefitted from the imprinting strategy, the designed sensor exhibited 85–99% selectivity when compared to other aromatic compounds. Moreover, the designed interface was able to detect P-NP in water samples. As demonstrated in this study, other chemical compositions and morphology of multi-dimensional materials can be crafted for the improved and specific detection of analytes.

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Acknowledgments

Ms. Tehseen is thankful to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan for providing a Fellowship (IRSIP No. 1-8/HEC/HRD/2017/8207).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanobiotech Group, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), P.O. Box No. 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Bushra Tehseen, Asma Rehman, Nishat Ashraf, Ata Ullah, Waheed S. Khan & Sadia Z. Bajwa

  2. Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nilore, Islamabad, 45650, Pakistan

    Bushra Tehseen & Ata Ullah

  3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9712AW, Groningen, Netherlands

    Romana Schirhagl

  4. Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Bahria University, E-9, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Tayyaba Asim

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  1. Bushra Tehseen
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  2. Asma Rehman
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  3. Romana Schirhagl
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  4. Nishat Ashraf
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Correspondence to Asma Rehman or Sadia Z. Bajwa.

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Tehseen, B., Rehman, A., Schirhagl, R. et al. A mesh network of MnO nanowires and CNTs reinforced by molecularly imprinted structures for the selective detection of para-nitrophenol. Journal of Materials Research 38, 3560–3571 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-023-01080-z

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