Non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer: a theoretical, strategy fabrication and application

A comprehensive theoretical screening of functional monomers, structural optimization, interaction energies (ΔE), and Gibbs free energy changes (ΔG) calculations of the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) were performed using density functional theory (DFT) method. Based on the thermodynamic and interaction energy calculations, it is found that acrylamide (AAm) as a functional monomer candidate has the potential to interact with glucose more efficiently for the preparation of MIP. In this work, on the basis of the theoretical calculations for the functional monomer selection in the MIP preparation, an electrochemical impedance sensor based on porous Ni foam modified with MIP (MIP@Ni) was developed for the glucose detection. The morphology and the electrochemical characteristics of the fabricated sensor were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The linear range and limit of detection were in the range of 0.8–4.0 mM and 0.45 mM with a signal to noise ratio of three in alkaline medium. Common interfering species such as ascorbic acid (AA), D-fructose, and 4-acetaminophenol (AP) were demonstrated have less effects on the glucose determination. The MIP@Ni foam exhibited better selectivity, which has a potential application in the advanced non-enzymatic glucose monitoring device.