Reversible Electrochemical Sensor for NDMA: Leveraging Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Enhanced Sensitivity and Selectivity

ACS Sens. 2025 Feb 28;10(2):881-885. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.4c02462. Epub 2025 Jan 30.

Abstract

Herein, we present the development and evaluation of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in aqueous environments. MIP coatings over electrochemically active electrodes enable NDMA detection with a notably low detection limit of 1.16 ppb. Our findings demonstrate that the dual-monomer system employed in the MIP fabrication enhances both the selectivity and sensitivity toward NDMA. Additionally, the reversibility of the sensor was confirmed via a chronoamperometry regeneration process. Furthermore, the sensor's robustness was demonstrated across various water samples, as well as on different electrode materials, highlighting its potential for practical and reliable water quality monitoring applications.

Keywords: chronoamperometry; electropolymerization; environmental; molecular imprinted; polymers; toxins.

MeSH terms

  • Dimethylnitrosamine* / analysis
  • Electrochemical Techniques* / methods
  • Electrodes*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Molecular Imprinting / methods
  • Molecularly Imprinted Polymers* / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis

Substances

  • Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
  • Dimethylnitrosamine
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Polymers