Photoelectrochemical Sensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Coated TiO2 Nanotubes for Lindane Specific Recognition and Detection

A molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) thin film for photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing of lindane molecules was constructed by electropolymerizing o-phenylenediamine (o–PD) monomer and lindane template molecule on titanium dioxide nanotubes. The resulting PEC sensors were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet (UV)-vis spectra and electrochemical impedance spectra. Clearly, the imprinted film showed high selectivity to lindane in our case. Under visible light irradiation, MIP film can generate the photoelectric transition from the highest occupied molecular orbital to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, delivering the excited electrons to the conduction band of titanium dioxide nanotubes. Simultaneously, it is believed that a positive charged hole (h+) of MIP that took part in oxidation process was consumed to promote the amplifying photocurrent response. The MIP-based PEC sensor had an excellent specificity and could be successfully applied to the recognition and detection of lindane, indicating a promising application in handling with organochlorine pesticide.