A novel electrochemical sensor based on a Cu-coordinated molecularly imprinted polymer and MoS2 modified chitin-derived carbon for selective detection of dextromethorphan

Abstract

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a widely utilized central antitussive agent, which is frequently abused by individuals seeking its recreational effect. But DXM overdose can cause some adverse effects, including brain damage, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrhythmias, and hence its detection is significant. Herein, an electrochemical sensor based on a Cu-coordinated molecularly imprinted polymer (Cu-MIP) was fabricated for its detection. For constructing the sensor, nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (CCNs) were prepared through calcining chitin under an argon atmosphere, and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) was allowed to grow on their surface. Subsequently, the obtained MoS₂/CCNs composite was employed to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and the Cu-MIP was electrodeposited on the electrode in a Cu-1,10-phenanthroline (Cu-Phen) solution containing DXM, where Cu²⁺ played a role in facilitating electron transfer and binding DXM. Due to the large specific surface area, good electrocatalytic properties and recognition of the resulting composite, the resulting Cu-MIP/MoS₂/CCNs/GCE showed high selectivity and sensitivity. Under optimized experimental conditions, the peak current of DXM and its concentration exhibited a good linear relationship over the concentration range of 0.1–100 μM, and the limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.02 μM. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor presented good stability, and it was successfully used for the determination of DXM in pharmaceutical, human serum and urine samples.