Determination of Bisphenol A Using an Electrochemical Sensor Based on a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode

A novel electrochemical sensor for bisphenol A was developed through the combination of a molecular imprinting technique with a multiwalled carbon nanotube paste electrode. A molecularly imprinted polymer and nonimprinted polymer were synthesized in the presence and absence of bisphenol A, and then used to prepare the electrode. The bisphenol A imprinted polymer was applied as a selective recognition element in the electrochemical sensor. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to characterize the electrochemical behavior of bisphenol A at the modified electrodes. The results showed that the imprinted sensor had highest response for bisphenol A. Parameters including the carbon paste composition, pH, and adsorption time for the imprinted sensor were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the differential pulse voltammetry peak current was linear with the concentration of bisphenol A from 0.08 to 100.0 µM, with a detection limit of 0.022 µM. The imprinted sensor for bisphenol A exhibited good selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. This sensor was successfully used for the determination of bisphenol A in real water samples.