Detection of tetracycline by molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on the modification of poly(3,4-propylene dioxythiophene)/chitosan/au

In this study, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemical sensor based on poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene)/chitosan/Au (PProDOT/CS/Au) composite modification was designed for highly sensitive and selective detection of TC. Green synthesis of CS/Au without the use of reducing agents, followed by in-situ oxidation polymerization of PProDOT. The high electrochemical activity and high stability of PProDOT, the numerous functional groups (-OH, -NH₂) of CS, and the excellent electron transport capacity of AuNPs, which provided a suitable incubation chamber for the production of imprinted cavities. Meanwhile, combined with the specific recognition ability of MIP, it showed superior performance over bare glassy carbon electrodes. Under the optimal experimental conditions, this sensor showed good linearity for TC in the concentration ranges of 0.0001-100 μM, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.19 nM. At the same time, the sensor exhibited satisfactory selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility and stability. It was evident from the results of the study that the sensor designed in this paper showed considerable potential for application in the detection of TC in pharmaceuticals, the environment, and food samples.