Preparation of erythromycin imprinted polymer by metal-free visible-light–induced ATRP and its application in sensor

Erythromycin (ERY) molecular imprinted polymer was prepared on the surface of Au electrode modified with Ni and Au nanoclusters (MIP/AuNCs/Ni/Au) via metal-free visible-light–induced atom transfer radical polymerization, which was very easy, controllable, and environmentally benign. MIP/AuNCs/Ni/Au was examined by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Further, MIP/AuNCs/Ni/Au was successfully used for the determination of ERY by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under the optimal conditions, MIP/AuNCs/Ni/Au gave a linear correlation over the ERY concentration from 1.0 × 10 −8 to 1.0 × 10 −1  mg/L with the detection limit of 3.2 × 10 −9  mg/L ( S / N  = 3). Comparing with the similar sensors, the larger linear range and lower detection limit indicated the promising prospect of this electrochemical sensor. Hence, this study was of great importance for the polymer-modified electrodes and the sensitive detection of ERY.