Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots-based fluorescence molecularly imprinted sensor for thiacloprid detection

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Thiacloprid is a nicotine-based insecticide affecting insect neurotransmission.
• Development of selective and sensitive detection methods for pesticides is crucial for environmental and food safety.
• Existing detection methods may lack portability or require complex procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel test strip-based sensor for the quantitative detection of thiacloprid.
• To utilize poly dopamine (PDA) molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) for enhanced sensing capabilities.
• To establish a highly selective and sensitive platform for pesticide analysis.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a test strip by immersing filter paper with N-GQDs.
• Self-polymerization of dopamine (DA) with thiacloprid to form a PDA film on the test strip.
• Creation of a PDA MIP by removing the thiacloprid template for selective recognition.
• Quantification of thiacloprid based on the fluorescence enhancement of N-GQDs.

Main Results:

• The developed sensor demonstrated a linear response for thiacloprid detection in the range of 0.1 mg/L to 10 mg/L.
• A low limit of detection of 0.03 mg/L was achieved under optimal conditions.
• The sensor exhibited high selectivity for thiacloprid.
• This represents the first report of an N-GQDs-based test strip sensor for thiacloprid.

Conclusions:

• The PDA MIP and N-GQDs based test strip sensor provides a sensitive and selective method for thiacloprid detection.
• This sensing system offers a promising platform for on-site and rapid pesticide analysis.
• The study opens new avenues for the development of advanced sensors in pesticide monitoring.