![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
A novel potentiometric sensor based on a molecular imprinted polymer was developed for the determination of shikimic acid in herbal medicine. The imprinted polymer was synthesized via bulk polymerization of the functional monomer in the presence of trimethylolpropane triacrylate as the cross-linker with 2,2′-azo-bisisobutyronitrile as the initiator and shikimic acid as the template. The sensing membrane was constructed by the inclusion of imprinted polymer in the polyvinyl chloride matrix. The effect of the identity of the imprinted polymer on the potentiometric response was observed. The optimal imprinted polyacrylamide was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The performance of the imprinted membrane based sensor, including the effects of pH, response time and selectivity coefficient, was investigated. The imprinted sensor exhibited a fast near-Nernstian response in the concentration range of 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−1 mol/L with a detection limit of 9 × 10−6 mol/L. The analytical performance of the sensor supported the direct determination of shikimic acid in herbs, and the obtained results were validated by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrophotometry. Advantages of the potentiometric sensor include enhanced sensitivity, high selectivity, long-term stability and low-cost fabrication, suggesting the device offers promise for the analysis of Chinese herbal medicine.