Electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer for sensitive and selective determination of metronidazole via two different approaches.

A molecularly imprinted polymer decorated glassy carbon electrode (MIP/GCE) is facilely developed into an electrochemical sensing platform for detection of metronidazole (MNZ). MIP preparation was carried out via in situ electropolymerization and o-phenylenediamine was selected as the optimal functional monomer. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to characterize and assess the performance of the so-obtained sensor. In particular, two assay methods, which are based on different principles, were involved in the detection procedure. One is based on MIP/catalysis (Method І) and the other is MIP/gate effect (Method II). Comparison of these two methods was made in the aspects including detection range, sensitivity, accuracy, selectivity, repeatability, and long-term stability. It is found that Method І affords a lower detection limit of 3.33 × 10(-10) M (S/N = 3) while the detection limit of Method II is 6.67 × 10(-10) M (S/N = 3). The linear range of Method І and II is 1.0 × 10(-9) to 1.0 × 10(-8) M and 2.0 × 10(-9) to 1.0 × 10(-7) M, respectively. The MIP/GCE exhibits good recognition ability towards the template molecule-MNZ in the presence of the analogues of MNZ and other interferents, which can be ascribed to the successful imprinting effect during MIP membrane preparation. Graphical Abstract Procedure for fabricating MIP/GCE and its application in detecting metronidazole in serum.