Majid Arvand; Akram Pourhabib; Bahar Arvand
Abstract
This study presents an innovative biomimetic sensor leveraging molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for folic acid detection, combining advanced materials and electrochemical design for enhanced performance. The sensor employs methacrylic acid monomers polymerized onto a polymeric surface, integrated ...
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This study presents an innovative biomimetic sensor leveraging molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for folic acid detection, combining advanced materials and electrochemical design for enhanced performance. The sensor employs methacrylic acid monomers polymerized onto a polymeric surface, integrated with graphite powder and paraffin oil to form a robust carbon paste electrode. Key strengths include its Nernstian response (19.2 mV decade–1) across a wide concentration range (5 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−3 mol L−1) and an impressively low detection limit of 1 × 10−9 mol L−1, surpassing many conventional methods. The design eliminates the need for additional reagents or complex instrumentation, prioritizing cost-effectiveness and simplicity. Novel aspects lie in the MIP-graphite-paraffin oil composite, which enhances stability and selectivity while enabling rapid sensor regeneration through surface polishing. The sensor demonstrates remarkable long-term stability and reproducibility, critical for real-world applications in pharmaceutical samples. Its ability to discern folic acid from interferents, validated in diverse matrices, underscores its practicality for clinical diagnostics and food quality control. By merging MIP specificity with electrochemical transduction, this work advances portable, high-sensitivity sensing platforms for routine analysis.
