Selective Capturing and Fluorescence ‘'Turn on’' Detection of Dibutyl Phthalate Using Molecular Imprinted Polymer Nanocomposite

Dibutyl phthalate is a potential endocrine disrupting chemical and it’s detection in environment/water at trace label is a critical issue to avoid human consumption. However, selective detection of dibutyl phthalate via simple and cost-effective approach is challenging. Here we report a fluorescence-based selective detection of dibutyl phthalate at micromolar concentration, without using any antibody. We have designed a nanocomposite made of graphene oxide and poly-cyclodextrin with the molecular imprint of dibutyl phthalate. The molecular imprint inside nanocomposite offers selective capturing of dibutyl phthalate and graphene oxide offers fluorescence “turn on’’ detection via competitive binding interaction with fluorescein. Nanocomposite incorporated paper strip is developed for simple read out detection of dibutyl phthalate in contaminated water. Developed method can be used for selective detection of dibutyl phthalate in water and the approach can be extended for detection/separation of other environmental pollutants.