Voltammetric response of diclofenac-molecularly imprinted film modified carbon electrodes

A voltammetric sensor for the determination of diclofenac was developed, based on the molecular recognition of the analyte by molecularly imprinted methacrylate-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate co-polymers. Pre-polymerisation solutions were deposited onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode and a polymer film was obtained after spin coating control of thickness and in situ thermal polymerisation. After the template extraction from the resultant film, re-binding of diclofenac is performed from acetonitrile solutions containing the analyte. The amount of bonded diclofenac was then evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry in different electrolytes. The best results were obtained in 0.025 M citrate solution pH 6 containing 10% of acetonitrile. This medium favours the release of diclofenac from the polymer binding sites. In this way, the voltammetric transduction of the molecular recognition event is achieved. Voltammetric selectivity measurements revealed negligible interferences from diclofenac family of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as niflumic or meclofenamic acids.