A magnetic fluorescence molecularly imprinted polymer sensor with selectivity for dibutyl phthalate via Mn doped ZnS quantum dots

Abstract

In this work, magnetic quantum dots molecularly imprinted polymers were synthesized, which were based on ZnS and magnetic Fe₃O₄. The polymers had a spherical shape and a core–shell structure and exhibited a magnetic strength of 17.20 emu g⁻¹ and optical stability. After the experimental conditions were optimized, the fluorescence intensity showed a linear dependence with concentration from 5.0 μmol L⁻¹ to 50 μmol L⁻¹, with R² = 0.9960. Upon optimizing the experimental conditions, the linear dependence of fluorescence intensity with concentration ranged from 5.0 μmol L⁻¹ to 50 μmol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.08 μmol L⁻¹. Furthermore, the MQDs–MIPs were successfully used for the detection of a tap water sample. With three spiking concentration levels, the recovery rate of each experiment was from 99.45 to 103.4%, with a relative standard deviation from 1.97 to 3.37%. This study provides a promising strategy for fabricating magnetic fluorescence molecular imprinted polymers with highly selective recognition ability.