Microwave-prepared surface imprinted magnetic nanoparticles based electrochemical sensor for adsorption and...

Detection technology for the determination of drugs, such as ketamine (KT), in sewage is of great significance in drug inspection and criminal investigation. Herein, we propose the utilization of ketamine magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (Fe₃O₄@MIPs) as a target molecule identification and concentration container coupled with magnetic glassy carbon electrode (mGCE) for KT detection in sewage. Molecular simulations were employed to evaluate the most suitable monomer and ratio of functional monomer to template. Fe₃O₄@MIPs were prepared using microwave-assisted synthesis and possessed a "shell-core" structure with good recognition ability, superior adsorption capacity and fast kinetics toward KT. Additionally, a novel imprinted electrochemical sensor was constructed based on the magnetism of Fe₃O₄@MIPs for efficient monitoring of low concentrations of KT. The morphology and properties of Fe₃O₄@MIPs/mGCE were effectively characterized by element mapping, transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. KT detection was performed by square wave voltammetry within the range of 1.0 × 10^-12 and 4.0 × 10^-4 mol L^-1, and the limit of detection was 8.0 × 10^-13 mol L^-1. Furthermore, Fe₃O₄@MIPs/mGCE was successfully tested for KT determination in domestic sewage samples.