Sensing epinephrine with an ITO electrode modified with an imprinted chitosan film containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes and a polymerized ionic liquid

We report on a sensor for epinephrine (EP) that is based on an ITO electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes pre-coated with a polymerized ionic liquid (PIL-MWNTs). A chitosan film was then electrodeposited on the ITO electrode in the presence of EP (the template) and the PIL-MWNTs. This film acts as an excellent recognition matrix due to its excellent film-forming ability and the many functional groups that favor hydrogen bond formation with the target (EP). The PIL-MWNTs, in turn, can improve the sensing performance due to their good electrical conductivity, high dispersity, and large surface area. The imprinted films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemistry of the imprinted electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The response to EP is linear in the 0.2 μM to 0.67 mM concentration range, and the detection limit is as low as 60 nM (at an S/N of 3). The electrode is reusable and offers good reproducibility and stability. An epinephrine imprinted electrode was facile achieved by electrodepositing chitosan on ITO surface in the presence of epinephrine and polymerized ionic liquid-functionalized carbon nanotubes, followed by removal of the epinephrine template molecule. Specific recognition of EP molecule and its determination were realized at this imprinted sensor.