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A nanosensor for TNT detection based on molecularly imprinted polymers and surface enhanced Raman scattering
Ellen L Holthoff1, Dimitra N Stratis-Cullum, Mikella E Hankus
1United States Army Research Laboratory, RDRL-SEE-O, 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA. ellen.holthoff@us.army.mil
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 14, 2011
Summary
A new sensor combines molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for detecting the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). This stable, reversible MIP-SERS sensor offers a 3 μM detection limit.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Developing sensitive and selective sensors for explosives like 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is crucial for security applications.
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer tailored recognition sites, while surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) provides high sensitivity detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel sensor strategy integrating MIPs with SERS for the detection of TNT.
- To create a stable and reversible sensor system with a low detection limit for explosive detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of micron-thick sol-gel xerogel films on a SERS-active surface.
- Molecular imprinting of xerogels for TNT using non-covalent interactions.
- Detection and identification of TNT via unique SERS bands generated upon binding within the MIP.
Main Results:
- The MIP-SERS sensor demonstrated an apparent dissociation constant of (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10(-5) M for TNT.
- A detection limit of 3 μM for TNT was achieved with the developed sensor.
- The sensor exhibited reversible response and stability for at least 6 months.
Conclusions:
- The integrated MIP-SERS sensor successfully detects TNT with high sensitivity and selectivity.
- Challenges in MIP formulation stability and SERS spectral interference were overcome.
- The MIP-SERS protocol shows potential for extension to detect other target analytes.
