Construction of a self-reporting molecularly-imprinted electrochemical sensor based on CuHCF modified by rGNR-rGO for the detection of zearalenone

Abstract

A self-reporting molecularly-imprinted electrochemical sensor is prepared for the detection of Zearalenone (ZEA). Firstly, the reduced graphene nanoribbons and reduced graphene oxide (rGNR-rGO) were simultaneously modified onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to improve the sensor's sensitivity. After electrodepositing copper nanoparticles onto the rGNR-rGO/GCE, cyclic voltammetry scanning was performed in potassium ferrocyanide solution, and copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) was deposited onto rGNR-rGO/GCE to further improve the sensor's sensitivity while giving it self-reporting capability. Then, molecularly-imprinted polymer films were prepared on the CuHCF/rGNR-rGO/GCE to ensure the selectivity of the sensor. It is found that the linear range of ZEA detection by the constructed sensor is 0.25-500 ng·mL ^-1, with a detection limit of 0.09 ng·mL ^-1. This sensor shows the merits of good selectivity, high sensitivity and accurate detection, providing a great possibility for the precise detection of low concentration ZEA in food.

Keywords: Copper hexacyanoferrate; Molecularly–imprinted electrochemical sensor; Reduced graphene nanoribbons; Reduced graphene oxide; Self–reporting; Zearalenone.