Electrochemical sensor for the determination of parathion based on p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene-1,4-crown-4 sol–gel film and its characterization by electrochemical methods

A novel sensor for the determination of parathion based on p-tert-butylcalix[6]-1,4-crown-4 as functional monomer was fabricated by sol–gel method using molecularly imprinted technology. The electrochemical behavior of parathion at the imprinted p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene-1,4-crown-4 sol–gel film sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry and alternating current impedance spectroscopy. A fast response of parathion can be obtained after being incubated in 0.1 M phosphonate buffer solution contain appropriate amount of parathion for 20 min. A linear response over parathion concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10−9 to 1.0 × 10−4 M was exhibited with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10−9 M (S/N = 3). This imprinted film sensor has been applied in determination of parathion in real sample and the results were consistent well with that obtained by high performance liquid chromatography.