US EPA

3865182 

Journal Article 

A pM leveled photoelectrochemical sensor for microcystin-LR based on surface molecularly imprinted TiO2@CNTs nanostructure 

Liu, M; Ding, X; Yang, Q; Wang, Y; Zhao, G; Yang, N 

2017 

Yes 

Journal of Hazardous Materials
ISSN: 0304-3894
EISSN: 1873-3336 

Elsevier B.V. 

331 

309-320 

English 

28273581 

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.02.031 

WOS:000398879800035 

A simple and highly sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor towards Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a kind of typical cyanobacterial toxin in water samples, was developed on a surface molecular imprinted TiO2 coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MI-TiO2@CNTs) hybrid nanostructure. It was synthesized using a feasible two-step sol-gel method combining with in situ surface molecular imprinting technique (MIT). With a controllable core-shell tube casing structure, the resultant MI-TiO2@CNTs are enhanced greatly in visible-light driven response capacity. In comparison with the traditional TiO2 (P25) and non-imprinted (NI-)TiO2@CNTs, the MI-TiO2@CNTs based PEC sensor showed a much higher photoelectric oxidation capacity towards MC-LR. Using this sensor, the determination of MC-LR was doable in a wide linear range from 1.0pM to 3.0nM with a high photocurrent response sensitivity. An outstanding selectivity towards MC-LR was further achieved with this sensor, proven by simultaneously monitoring 100-fold potential co-existing interferences. The superiority of the obtained MC-LR sensor in sensitivity and selectivity is mainly attributed to the high specific surface area and excellent photoelectric activity of TiO2@CNTs heterojunction structure, as well as the abundant active recognition sites on its functionalized molecular imprinting surface. A promising PEC analysis platform with high sensitivity and selectivity for MC-LR has thus been provided. 

MI-TiO2@CNTs; Microcystin-LR; Molecular imprinting technique; Photoelectrochemical sensor; Biosynthesis; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Electrochemistry; Heterojunctions; Molecular modeling; Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCN); Nanostructures; Photoelectricity; Photoelectrochemical cells; Polymerization; Sol-gel process; Sol-gels; Toxic materials; Yarn; Heterojunction structures; High specific surface area; Hybrid nanostructures; Microcystin-LR; Molecular imprinting techniques; Photoelectrochemical sensors; Photoelectrochemicals; Surface molecular imprinting techniques; Titanium dioxide; microcystin LR; multi walled nanotube; titanium dioxide nanoparticle; carbon nanotube; microcystin; microcystin LR; titanium; titanium dioxide; carbon nanotube; cyanobacterium; electrochemical method; experimental study; inorganic compound; molecular analysis; nanotechnology; oxidation; sensor; surface area; toxin; Article; comparative study; controlled study; diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; electric conductivity; electrochemistry; electron transport; hybrid; hybridization; hydrogen bond; hydrolysis; immobilization; infrared spectroscopy; light absorption; limit of detection; molecular imprinting; molecular stability; molecular weight; nonhuman; oxidation; physical capacity; physical chemistry; Raman spectrometry; sensor; surface property; transmission electron microscopy; ultraviolet radiation; waste water management; water analysis; X ray diffraction; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; chemistry; electrochemical analysis; evaluation study; photochemistry; Cyanobacteria; Electrochemical Techniques; Microcystins; Nanotubes, Carbon; Photochemical Processes; Titanium