A molecularly imprinted polypyrrole for ultrasensitive voltammetric determination of glyphosate

The paper describes a molecularly imprinted polymer along with an electrochemical assay for voltammetric determination of glyphosate (GLY). A composite of urchin-like gold nanoparticles and Prussian Blue was electrodeposited on an indium/tin oxide (ITO) glass to serve as a low-potential redox mediator and an electron transfer carrier. Then, polypyrrole was imprinted with GLY to form a molecularly imprinted polymer on the surface of the ITO electrode. The modified electrode was characterized using cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. Differential pulse voltammetry showed the device to display an excellent current response to GLY, with a response that is linear in the 400–1200 ng⋅mL −1 GLY concentration range. The limit of detection is 92 ng⋅mL −1 . The method was successfully applied to the determination of GLY in spiked samples. In our perception, this approach represents a powerful tool for simple, low-cost and rapid detection of GLY in food and in the environment. Schematic of a molecularly imprinted polymer along with an electrochemical assay for voltammetric determination of glyphosate. The method employs electrodeposited urchin-like gold nanoparticles and Prussian Blue as a low-potential redox mediator and an electron transfer carrier.