Novel electrochemical sensing platform based on a molecularly imprinted polymer decorated 3D nanoporous nickel skeleton for ultrasensitive and selective determination of metronidazole

A novel electrochemical sensor has been developed by using a composite element of three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous nickel (NPNi) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). NPNi is introduced in order to enhance the electron-transport ability and surface area of the sensor, while the electrosynthesized MIP layer affords simultaneous identification and quantification of the target molecule by employing Fe(CN)₆^3–/4– as the probe to indicate the current intensity. The morphology of the hybrid film was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the properties of the sensor were examined by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. By using metronidazole (MNZ) as a model analyte, the sensor based on the MIP/NPNi hybrid exhibits great features such as a remarkably low detection limit of 2 × 10^–14 M (S/N = 3), superb selectivity in discriminating MNZ from its structural analogues, and good antiinterference ability toward several coexisting substances. Moreover, the proposed method also demonstrates excellent repeatability and stability, with relative standard deviations of less than 1.12% and 1.4%, respectively. Analysis of MNZ in pharmaceutical dosage form and fish tissue is successfully carried out without assistance of complicated pretreatment. The MIP/NPNi composite presented here with admirable merits makes it a promising candidate for developing electrochemical sensor devices and plays a role in widespread fields.