Electrochemical Sensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for the Detection of Moxifloxacin

Moxifloxacin evaluation in pharmaceuticals and biological fluids is in high demand. It is important to fabricate a simple, sensitive, selective, miniaturized, and cost-effective chemical sensor to detect moxifloxacin in the environment. In this study, an electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was fabricated for the detection of moxifloxacin in which interdigital electrodes (IDEs) were used as transducers. Thermal free-radical bulk polymerization was used to synthesize MIP, methacrylic acid (MAA) was used as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker, azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a free radical initiator, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a porogenic solvent in a poly (methacrylic acid) system for efficient recognition. The LCR meter was used to measure various electrical properties such as inductance and resistance. A concentration-dependent linear response was observed by the fabricated sensor having a lower limit of detection of 240 and 63 ppb for series and parallel resistance, respectively. Meanwhile, series and parallel inductance had lower detection limits of 48 and 8 ppb, respectively. Furthermore, in the presence of competing agents such as uric acid, ascorbic acid, and paracetamol, the fabricated sensor showed a selective response for moxifloxacin. The fabricated sensor also showed reversible and reproducible response.