Molecularly imprinted magnetic microparticles for the simultaneous detection and extraction of Rhodamine B

Abstract

Core–shell magnetic silica nanoparticles coated by molecularly imprinted polymer (Fe3O4@SiO2@MIP, M-MIP) accompanied with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) responsivity have been successfully prepared for simultaneous selective detection and extraction of trace organic dye, Rhodamine B (RhB). The M-MIP showed the advantage of rapid mass transfer and binding kinetics and significant selectivity for RhB molecules with a maximum adsorption capacity of 29.64mg/g. Notably, RhB, the template molecule acted as the acceptor, while the nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD−) fluorophores containing in the MIP layer of M-MIP, introduced by the functional monomer molecules, acted as the donor in FRET process, which could be used to detect trace RhB base on the change of fluorescence signal. The simultaneous sensitive detection and selective extraction for RhB and easy magnetic separation of M-MIP indicated that the core–shell M-MIPs had the potential to be a kind of good sensor and adsorbent for specific dye in the application of food safety and environmental science.