Electrochemical sensing for the detection of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid using molecularly imprinted polymer membrane

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membranes were used to develop highly sensitive chemical sensors for the detection of herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). The 2,4-D imprinted composite MIP membranes were prepared, and the characterization was done by UV-VIS spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, and the same were fitted in a new electrochemical sensor model. Membrane electroconductivity measurements were performed by applying a small-amplitude alternating voltage (20 mV) with a varying frequency from 20 Hz to 80 kHz generated by a lowfrequency wave form generator. The measured changes in the membrane ionic/electric conductivity as a function of 2,4-D concentration was allowed to evaluate the recognition properties of the prepared membrane. This sensor is useful in detecting 2,4-D herbicide having concentration range 10-3M to 10-6M. The cross-selectivity of the sensor, reproducibility of results, and reusability of MIP membrane were examined and found remarkable and recommendable