Electrochemical sensor based on imprinted sol–gel and nanomaterials for sensitive determination of bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) was reported to show potential detrimental effects on wildlife and humans through altering endocrine function. In this study, a novel electrochemical imprinted sensor for sensitive and convenient determination of BPA was developed. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were introduced for the enhancement of electronic transmission and sensitivity. Thin film of molecularly imprinted sol–gel polymers with specific binding sites for BPA was cast on gold electrode by electrochemical deposition. The resulting composites were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV–visible spectra. Rebinding experiments were carried out to determine the specific binding capacity and selective recognition of the sensor. The linear range was from 1.13 × 10−7 to 8.21 × 10−3 mol L−1, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 3.6 × 10−9 mol L−1 (S/N = 3). The imprinted sensor was successfully tested to detect BPA in real samples.