A highly sensitive and selective sensor based on a graphene-coated carbon paste electrode modified with a computationally designed boron-embedded duplex molecularly imprinted hybrid membrane for the sensing of lamotrigine

Molecularly Imprinted Drug Carrier for Lamotrigine-Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Physicochemical Parameters

This study presents the initial attempt at introducing a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) designed specifically for lamotrigine with the purpose of functioning as a drug carrier. First, the composition of the magnetic polymer underwent optimization based on bulk polymer adsorption studies and theoretical analyses. The magnetic MIP was synthesized from itaconic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate exhibiting a drug loading capacity of 3.4 ± 0.9 μg g-1. Structural characterization was performed using powder X-ray diffraction analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The resulting MIP demonstrated controlled drug released characteristics without a burst effect in the phospahe buffer saline at pH 5 and 8. These findings hold promise for the potential nasal administration of lamotrigine in future applications.

A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Modified with a Computer-Simulative Magnetic Ion-Imprinted Membrane for Identification of Uranyl Ion

In this paper, a novel ion-imprinted electrochemical sensor modified with magnetic nanomaterial Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ was established for the high sensitivity and selectivity determination of UO₂²⁺ in the environment. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the interaction between templates and binding ligands to screen out suitable functional binding ligand for the reasonable design of the ion imprinted sensors. The MIIP/MCPE (magnetic ion imprinted membrane/magnetic carbon paste electrode) modified with Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ exhibited a strong response current and high sensitivity toward uranyl ion comparison with the bare carbon paste electrodes. Meanwhile, the MCPE was fabricated simultaneously under the action of strong magnetic adsorption, and the ion imprinted membrane can be adsorbed stably on the electrode surface, handling the problem that the imprinted membrane was easy to fall off during the process of experimental determination and elution. Based on the uranyl ion imprinting network, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was adopted for the detection technology to realize the electrochemical reduction of uranyl ions, which improved the selectivity of the sensor. Thereafter, uranyl ions were detected in the linear concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, with the detection and quantification limit of 1.08 × 10⁻⁹ and 3.23 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹, respectively. In addition, the sensor was successfully demonstrated for the determination of uranyl ions in uranium tailings soil samples and water samples with a recovery of 95% to 104%.

The Use of Computational Methods for the Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of theoretical and computational approaches in the study and development of molecular imprinting systems. These tools are being used to either improve understanding of the mechanisms underlying the function of molecular imprinting systems or for the design of new systems. Here, we present an overview of the literature describing the application of theoretical and computational techniques to the different stages of the molecular imprinting process (pre-polymerization mixture, polymerization process and ligand-molecularly imprinted polymer rebinding), along with an analysis of trends within and the current status of this aspect of the molecular imprinting field.

A Review on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Preparation by Computational Simulation-Aided Methods

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are obtained by initiating the polymerization of functional monomers surrounding a template molecule in the presence of crosslinkers and porogens. The best adsorption performance can be achieved by optimizing the polymerization conditions, but this process is time consuming and labor-intensive. Theoretical calculation based on calculation simulations and intermolecular forces is an effective method to solve this problem because it is convenient, versatile, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive. In this article, computational simulation modeling methods are introduced, and the theoretical optimization methods of various molecular simulation calculation software for preparing molecularly imprinted polymers are proposed. The progress in research on and application of molecularly imprinted polymers prepared by computational simulations and computational software in the past two decades are reviewed. Computer molecular simulation methods, including molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics, are universally applicable for the MIP-based materials. Furthermore, the new role of computational simulation in the future development of molecular imprinting technology is explored.

New Potentiometric Screen-printed Sensors for Determination of Trimebutine Drug in Tablets, Serum and Urine Samples

A new sensit4e and select4e modified screen printed electrodes (MSPEs) and carbon paste electrodes (MCPEs) were studied in order to determine trimbutine maleate (TM) in pure, tablets, urine, and serum samples. These sensors were embodied with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) since it improved the quality of the sensors in presence of potassium tetrakis (p-chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) ionophore. A good Nernstian response for the constructed sensors, at optimum paste composition, was exhibited for determination of TM in concentration range of 1.5 × 10^-7 - 1.0 × 10^-2 and 1.0 × 10^-7- 1.0 × 10^-2 mol L^-1 at 25 °C with detection limit of 1.5 × 10^-7 and 1.0 × 10^-7 mol L^-1 for MCPE and MSPE, respect4ely. It seemed that the potential of the electrodes was independent on pH in the range of 2.0-8.0, 2.0-8.5, 2.0-8.5, and 2.0-9.0 g4ing slope as 56.77 ± 1.11, 57.82 ± 0.54, 57.95 ± 0.37, and 58.99 ± 0.28 mV decade^-1 for electrodes 1, 2, 3 and 4, respect4ely. MCPEs and MSPEs gave response time about 8 and 6 s with long lifetime (more than 3 and 5 months), respect4ely. A high select4ity of sensors was observed for TM regarding to a large number of interfering species. The constructed sensors were successfully applied for determination of TM in pure form, its pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids using standard addition, calibration, and potentiometric titration methods with high precision and accuracy. The results showed a good agreement between the proposed method and the HPLC official method.

Ionic liquid functionalized 3D graphene-carbon nanotubes‒AuPd nanoparticles‒molecularly imprinted copolymer based paracetamol electrochemical sensor: Preparation, characterization and application

An innovative electrochemical sensor for paracetamol (PCM) determination was fabricated by electropolymerization imprinting on three-dimension (3D) AuPd nanoparticles‒ionic liquid (IL) functionalized graphene‒carbon nanotubes nanocomposite (AuPd/GN-CNTs-IL) modified glassy carbon electrode. The GN-CNTs supported AuPd alloy nanoparticles were prepared via one-pot hydrothermal method in the presence of IL (i.e. 1-hydroxyethyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl] imide), which not only promoted the formation of small AuPd alloy nanoparticles, but also acted as "spacer" to prevent the π-π stacking and aggregation of graphene sheets and carbon nanotubes. The resulting composite had large surface area and high electrocatalysis. The PCM imprinted poly(carbazole-co-pyrrole) exhibited good recognition to PCM and had high stability. Based on the synergic effect of PCM imprinted copolymer and 3D AuPd/GN-CNTs-IL nanocomposite, a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor was established. It presented a good linear relationship from 0.10 to 10 μM with a low limit of detection of 50 nM (S/N = 3). The sensor could be applied to the detection of PCM in biological samples, with acceptable recoveries (84.5%-102%). In addition, it was successfully used to monitor the concentration of PCM in urine from a patient with fever cold.

Recent advances in computational methods for biosensor design

Biosensors are analytical tools with a great application in healthcare, food quality control, and environmental monitoring. They are of considerable interest to be designed by using cost-effective and efficient approaches. Designing biosensors with improved functionality or application in new target detection has been converted to a fast-growing field of biomedicine and biotechnology branches. Experimental efforts have led to valuable successes in the field of biosensor design; however, some deficiencies restrict their utilization for this purpose. Computational design of biosensors is introduced as a promising key to eliminate the gap. A set of reliable structure prediction of the biosensor segments, their stability, and accurate descriptors of molecular interactions are required to computationally design biosensors. In this review, we provide a comprehensive insight into the progress of computational methods to guide the design and development of biosensors, including molecular dynamics simulation, quantum mechanics calculations, molecular docking, virtual screening, and a combination of them as the hybrid methodologies. By relying on the recent advances in the computational methods, an opportunity emerged for them to be complementary or an alternative to the experimental methods in the field of biosensor design.

Recent advances in electroanalytical methods for the therapeutic monitoring of antiepileptic drugs: A comprehensive review

Frequency of seizures is often managed by a wide group of antiepileptic drugs. Regarding the pharmacokinetic variability, narrow targeted range, and difficulty of detecting signs of toxicity based on laboratory responses, therapeutic monitoring of antiepileptic drugs can play a pivotal role in optimizing the drug dosage. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors can facilitate analysis of these drugs due to their unique advantages such as fast analysis, sensitivity, selectivity, and low cost. This review article, for the first time, describes the recent advances in electrochemical sensors and biosensors developed for the analysis of antiepileptic drugs. General electrochemical measuring techniques and types of applied electrode substrates were described first. To simplify the work, various chemical and biological modifiers applied to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensors were classified and explained briefly. Finally, the future prospective on the development of electrochemical platforms in the quantification of antiepileptic drugs will be presented.

Attapulgite nanofibers and graphene oxide composite membrane for high-performance molecular separation

Graphene oxide (GO) based membranes are widely adopted in molecular separation based on size exclusion effect by stacked GO sheets. Both high flux and efficient rejection of GO-based membranes for long-term operation are highly expected for practical applications. Here, an attapulgite (ATP) nanofibers/ GO composite (ATP/GO) membrane is assembled by filtration of mixed aqueous colloidal suspensions of ATP and GO. Due to the modification of interlayer distance and surface property of GO membrane by ATP, the ATP/GO membrane demonstrates excellent separation performance, with a high water flux of 221.16 Lm^-2 h^-1bar^-1, 7.7 times higher than that of pure GO membrane. Meanwhile, the rejection of ATP/GO is also slightly improved comparing with that of GO membrane. It is also found that increasing the thickness of the membrane is effective to enhance rejection percentage. The ATP/GO membranes reported here show high efficiency for molecular separation, which demonstrates potential applications in water purification and environmental protection.

Preparation and application of a carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and boron-embedded molecularly imprinted composite membranes

An innovative electrochemical sensor was fabricated for the sensitive and selective determination of tinidazole (TNZ), based on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and boron-embedded molecularly imprinted composite membranes (B-MICMs). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to investigate the utility of template-monomer interactions to screen appropriate monomers for the rational design of B-MICMs. The distinct synergic effect of MWCNTs and B-MICMs was evidenced by the positive shift of the reduction peak potential of TNZ at B-MICMs/MWCNTs modified CPE (B-MICMs/MWCNTs/CPE) by about 200 mV, and the 12-fold amplification of the peak current, compared with a bare carbon paste electrode (CPE). Moreover, the coordinate interactions between trisubstituted boron atoms embedded in B-MICMs matrix and nitrogen atoms of TNZ endow the sensor with advanced affinity and specific directionality. Thereafter, a highly sensitive electrochemical analytical method for TNZ was established by different pulse voltammetry (DPV) at B-MICMs/MWCNTs/CPE with a lower detection limit (1.25 × 10^-12 mol L^-1) (S/N = 3). The practical application of the sensor was demonstrated by determining TNZ in pharmaceutical and biological samples with good precision (RSD 1.36% to 3.85%) and acceptable recoveries (82.40%-104.0%).

A robust electrochemical sensing platform using carbon paste electrode modified with molecularly imprinted microsphere and its application on methyl parathion detection

A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with surface molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres (SMIPMs) was developed for methyl parathion (MP) detection. Molecular imprinting technique based on distillation precipitation polymerization was applied to prepare SMIPMs and non-surface imprinted microspheres (MIPMs). The polymer properties including morphology, size distribution, BET specific surface area and adsorption performance were investigated and compared carefully. Both MIPMs and SMIPMs were adopted to prepare CPE sensors and their electrochemical behaviors were characterized via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Compared with MIPMs packed sensor, SMIPMs/CPE exhibits a higher sensing response towards MP with linear detection range of 1 × 10^-12-8 × 10^-9 mol L^-1 and detection limit of 3.4 × 10^-13 mol L^-1 (S/N = 3). Moreover, SMIPMs/CPE exhibits good selectivity and stability in multiple-cycle usage and after long-time storage. Finally, the developed sensor was used to determine MP in real samples including soil and vegetables and only simple pretreatment is needed. The detection results were consistent with those obtained from liquid chromatography. Collectively, this newly developed sensor system shows significant potential for use in a variety of fields like food safety, drug residue determination and environmental monitoring.