A novel N-doped hollow carbon bowl based molecularly imprinted polymer nanocomposites for ultra-sensitive electrochemical detection of octylphenol

Octylphenol (OP) is a chemical compound that has found extensive industrial and agricultural production applications. However, its occasional exposure to water can pose significant risks to aquatic organisms. Therefore, developing a simple, cost-effective, and stable electrochemical monitor for OP to ensure environmental safety. Based on a novel nitrogen-doped hollow carbon bowl (N-HCB) as the electrical conductor, OP as the template molecule, and pyrrole (Py) as the functional monomer, the sandwich-structure molecularly imprinted polymer (N-HCB@PPy/MIP) nanocomposites were prepared. It incorporated the intercalated layer of N-HCB that provides a superior electrocatalytic substrate, the double-sided molecularly imprinted layer that generates highly specific surface imprinted cavities, and an electronic barrier of the non-imprinted PPy to external molecules. The sensors demonstrated a highly selective and ultrasensitive electrochemical response to OP, exhibiting a detection range of 0.5–200 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.07 μM, while showing good stability, reproducibility, and excellent selectivity to other interferences. Further test results indicate its suitability for the detection of OP in real environmental samples.