A molecularly imprinted electrochemical BPA sensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by CdTe quantum dots for the detection of bisphenol A

Abstract An imprinted electrochemical sensor based on multifunctional multi-walled carbon nanotubes was synthesized for detection of bisphenol A (BPA). Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) consist carboxylated quantum dots grafted with aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a carrier, BPA as a template, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a monomer. The successful recombination of quantum dots allows the electrodes to translate small differences in concentration into large changes in current response. Modified materials were discussed by TEM, SEM, FT-IR, Fluorescence, XRD, together with a series of characterization of electrochemical behavior. The MIPs displayed well selectivity towards BPA and hardly showed response to interferes. Also, the sensor has a high stability (RSD of 5.17%) and repeatability (RSD of 0.43%). Moreover, the current response has a linear relationship range from 0.05 to 50 nmol L−1, with a detection limit of 0.015 nmol L−1. Finally, the modified electrode was utilized for the detection of 3 kinds of water samples which indicated that the sensor has potential for future applications in trace detection of BPA in environment water.