title: Imprinting of molecular recognition sites through electropolymerization of functionalized Au nanoparticles: development of an electrochemical TNT sensor based on pi-donor-acceptor interactions.
abstract: Electrochemical sensors for the analysis of TNT with enhanced sensitivities are described. The enhanced sensitivities are achieved by tailoring pi-donor-acceptor interactions between TNT and pi-donor-modified electrodes or pi-donor-cross-linked Au nanoparticles linked to the electrode. In one configuration a p-aminothiophenolate monolayer-modified electrode leads to the analysis of TNT with a sensitivity corresponding to 17 ppb (74 nM). In the second configuration, the cross-linking of Au NPs by oligothioaniline bridges to the electrode yields a functionalized electrode that detects TNT with a sensitivity that corresponds to 460 ppt (2 nM). Most impressively, the imprinting of molecular TNT recognition sites into the pi-donor oligoaniline-cross-linked Au nanoparticles yields a functionalized electrode with a sensitivity that corresponds to 46 ppt (200 pM). The electrode reveals high selectivity, reusability, and stability.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riskin
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tel-Vered
authors.forename: Tatyana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bourenko
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Granot
authors.forename: Itamar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Willner