A highly selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor based on ion-imprinted magnetic carbon nanospheres for Cu(II) detection

For the detection of Cu(II), an electrochemical sensor based on ion imprinted polymers as recognition element is prepared by combining surface imprinting with electrochemical polymerization deposition. The sensor is modified by ion-imprinted magnetic carbon nanospheres with specific selectivity and sensitivity towards Cu(II). The morphology and structure of the obtained imprinted materials are characterized and analysed. The electrochemical performance of the sensors shows that, compared with non-imprinted electrode and bare electrode, the imprinted electrode has stronger selectivity and higher sensitivity towards Cu(II). With the relative concentration of Cu(II) changing from 10-6 to 10-10 mol L-1, the detection limit of the sensor is as low as 5.138×10-16 mol L-1 (S/N=3). Additionally, the sensor features good anti-interference, reproducibility, and stability, which provides a feasible strategy for electrochemical detection of metal ions.