Molecularly imprinted polymer containing fluorescent graphene quantum dots as a new fluorescent nanosensor for detection of methamphetamine

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2020 Mar 15:229:118021. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.118021. Epub 2019 Dec 30.

Abstract

A novel fluorescent nanosensor based on graphene quantum dots embedded within molecularly imprinted polymer (GQDs@MIP) was developed for detection and determination of methamphetamine (METH). The resulting GQDs@MIP nanocomposite exhibited higher methamphetamine selectivity in comparison with corresponding non-imprinted polymer (GQDs@NIP). Characterization of the GQDs@MIP nanocomposite was done by nitrogen adsorption and desorption analysis (BET method), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies. The fluorescence intensity of GQDs@MIP was efficiently quenched in the presence of methamphetamine template molecules while no quenching was observed in the presence of other analytes such as amphetamine, ibuprofen, codeine, and morphine. Using this method, the detection limit of 1.7 μg/L was obtained for methamphetamine determination.

Keywords: Fluorescence; Graphene quantum dot; Methamphetamine; Molecularly imprinted polymer; Nanosensor.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / analysis
  • Fluorescence*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Methamphetamine / analysis*
  • Molecular Imprinting / methods*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots*

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Polymers
  • Methamphetamine
  • Graphite