Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran

Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran

Design and development of a selective electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer and cobalt metal-organic framework for ultra-sensitive measurement of minoxidil

Document Type : Research Article

Author
Department of chemistry,Payame Noor University,Tehran-Iran
Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable attention in the development of electrochemical sensors due to their high porosity, large specific surface area, ordered crystalline structure, and accessible active metal sites. In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer modified with a cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co-MOF/MIP) was designed for the selective and sensitive determination of minoxidil. The synthesized Co-MOF was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and its surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For sensor fabrication, para-aminobenzoic acid was employed as the functional monomer and minoxidil as the template molecule. The molecularly imprinted polymer film was deposited onto the surface of a Co-MOF-modified glassy carbon electrode via electropolymerization. The porous structure and surface-active sites of Co-MOF enhanced the effective surface area of the electrode, facilitated charge transfer, and improved the electrochemical response. The analytical performance of the sensor was evaluated by comparing the responses of Co-MOF/MIP and Co-MOF/NIP electrodes in a redox probe solution using a three-electrode system over a potential range of -0.6 to 1.0 V at a scan rate of 50 mV/s. The proposed sensor exhibited a linear response toward minoxidil in the concentration range of 80 to 450 nM, with a detection limit of 0.3 nM. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for eight replicate measurements was 1.4%, indicating acceptable repeatability. In conclusion, the integration of molecularly imprinted polymer with cobalt-based metal-organic framework creates a synergistic recognition platform with high sensitivity and desirable selectivity. The Co-MOF/MIP electrochemical sensor can be proposed as a reliable and efficient tool for the determination of minoxidil in analytical and quality control applications.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 July 2026