Synthesis of an organic phosphoric acid-based multilayered SERS imprinted sensor for selective detection of dichlorophenol

Abstract

A novel surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate was synthesized by wrapping Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the MIL-101 (Fe) shell under the assistance of IP₆, and combining with molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the selective detection of 2,6-DCP. In this study, as a stabilizer and linking agent, IP₆ can form a chemical bond with MIL-101 (Fe) to decrease the distance between two Ag nanoparticles and generate more “hot spots”. On the other hand, the inositol hexaphosphate (IP₆) and MIL-101 (Fe) shell acted as a protective shell layer, preventing Ag nanoparticles from being polluted by the external environment and reduced SERS activity. In addition, the SERS-MIPs can selectively detect the target molecule, avoiding the influence of other interfering substances on the detection effect. The prepared sensor (Ag/IP₆@MIL-101 (Fe)@MIPs, AIM@MIPs) presented sensitive SERS properties, and the detection of limit can reach 10⁻⁹ M. The AIM@MIPs also presented strong selective detection to the target molecules, and can be applied for practical sample detection. This test provides a potential application in the detection of environmental pollutants.