Sensitive and selective detection of the highly toxic pesticide carbofuran in vegetable samples by a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor with signal enhancement by AuNPs

An imprinted electrochemical sensor was constructed for the detection of carbofuran with high sensitivity and selectivity. AuNPs were used as the electron wire for signal amplification, and molecularly imprinted polymer was used as the recognition element. The preparation process of the modified electrode was optimized, and the electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The results proved that the prepared sensor can selectively detect carbofuran and the AuNPs can increase its sensitivity. The method validation included the systematic evaluation of the linearity, sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and stability. The optimized sensor showed a wide linear response to carbofuran in the range from 5.0 × 10(−8) to 4.0 × 10(−4) mol L(−1) with a low detection limit of 2.4 × 10(−8) mol L(−1). The sensor also exhibited a high selectivity to carbofuran. The real sample analysis for vegetable samples suggested its potential application in the analysis of vegetable samples.