Electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymer-based simple and stable electrochemical nanosensor for triclosan detection

The overuse of antibacterial agent triclosan (TCS) has raised serious health concerns, including disruption of endocrine functionality and toxicity, underscoring the need for accurate detection of TCS for effective environmental risk assessment and regulatory compliance. Conventional chromatographic detection methods, although reliable, are often costly and labour-intensive. Meanwhile, existing biosensor platforms for TCS detection face limitations, including poor stability, complex fabrication protocols, and suboptimal sensitivity. To address this, the development of a robust and facile electrochemical nanosensor based on electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is reported. The sensor was fabricated by electropolymerizing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), a TCS-selective functional monomer, onto a glassy carbon electrode for initial optimization and followed by over-screen-printed electrodes for real-time detection of TCS. This nanosensor demonstrated a linear working range from 1 nM to 200 μM, with a limit of detection of 1.23 nM for TCS detection in artificial urine which mimics the real sample conditions and confirming its practical applicability. The nanosensor also exhibited high selectivity toward TCS in the presence of potentially interfering analytes. The nanosensor’s advantageous features include a simple MIP fabrication process (initiator free), high stability (over 30 cycles), high reproducibility, high sensitivity, and rapid response time for TCS (<2 min). The results revealed the effectiveness of electropolymerized MIP-based electrochemical nanosensors for endocrine disruptor detection and environmental risk management. • An operationally stable electrochemical nanosensor fabricated using electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for triclosan (TCS) detection • Using 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) as the functional monomer in MIP-based electrochemical sensor for TCS detection, for the first time • Simple MIP fabrication with a uniform polymer film on the sensor • High sensitivity (LOD with 1.23 nM), extended linear working range (1 nM – 200 μM), and fast response (<2 min) in TCS detection in artificial urine