ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis, characterization and using a new terpyridine moiety-based ion-imprinted polymer nanoparticle: sub-nanomolar detection of Pb(II) in biological and water samples

Mojtaba Shamsipur, Leila Samandari, Abbas Besharati-Seidani, and Afshin Pashabadi

Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

E-mail: mshamsipur@yahoo.com

Abstract: A highly selective lead-imprinted polymer was synthesized via a thermal precipitation polymerization technique based on a terpyridine-based ligand as the complexing agent. The synthesized polymer was successfully incorporated in a graphite paste electrode (GPE) as the recognition element for lead ion (Pb²⁺). Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) technique was used to transduce the binding events at the modified electrode. The imprinted polymer nanoparticles (IP-NPs) were synthesized by precipitation polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as the free radical initiator and 2,2′:6′,6″-terpyridine (terpy) as the recognition element. The sensing procedure is based on the accumulation of lead ions at − 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Afterward, the DPV was recorded by the sweeping potential in a positive direction to oxidize the accumulated ions, leading to the appearance of a significant anodic peak. The constructed IIP–GPE revealed a linear response toward Pb²⁺ over the concentration range from 0.4 to 10 nM (with the sensitivity of 693.95 nA nM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and 10 nM to 1.0 µM (with the sensitivity of 580.25 µA µM⁻¹ cm⁻²). The limit of detection (LOD) was evaluated to be 0.11 nM (for S/N = 3). The accuracy of the sensor was explored by analysis of a quality control material (QCMs, Seronorm™ urine REF NO 1011645) and different water samples. Selectivity studies showed no particular interference for detection of Pb(II).

Keywords: Terpyridine ; Ion-imprinted polymer ; Graphite paste electrode ; Stripping voltammetry ; Lead ions 

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-018-0523-6

Chemical Papers 72 (11) 2707–2717 (2018)