Recyclable Magnetic MIP-Based SERS Sensors for Selective, Sensitive, and Reliable Detection of Paclobutrazol Residues in Complex Environments
Yichuan Kou, Tong Wu, Hui Zheng, Naveen Reddy Kadasala, Shuo Yang, Chenzi Guo, Lei Chen, Yang Liu, Jinghai Yang
Abstract
In this work, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based SERS sensor for selective, sensitive, quantitative, and recyclable detection of paclobutrazol residues in complex environments has been proposed. In this strategy, Fe3O4@SiO2–Au@Ag (FSAA) nanocomposites with tunable Au@Ag interparticle gaps are constructed. Then, by tuning the Au@Ag nanogaps and investigating the SERS enhancement mechanism of FSAA, we achieve the optimal SERS substrate, FSAA-40. After combining with MIPs, we can selectively detect paclobutrazol in soil with a detection limit of 0.075 μg/g. When the paclobutrazol concentration ranges from 0.075 to 12.75 μg/g, the SERS intensity shows a linear correlation, which opens the possibility for quantitative detection. Our magnetic MIP-based SERS sensor can be easily separated, efficiently recycled, and expanded to more universal environments, which demonstrates a promising future in food and environmental safety.