Photocatalytic, fluorescent BiPO4@Graphene oxide based magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for detection, removal and degradation of ciprofloxacin

Abstract Herein, we have developed a photocatalytic, fluorescent bismuth phosphate@graphene oxide (BiPO4@GO) based magnetic nano-sized-molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) for detection, removal, and degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. CIP is a very popular antibiotic, but their heavy doses in recent time, made them an environmental threat. The imprinted polymer was synthesized using N-vinyl caprolactam, N, N-methylene bis-acrylamide, ZnFe2O4 nanoparticle, and Bi(PO4)@GO as a biocompatible monomer, crosslinker, magnetic moiety, and photocatalyst, respectively. The characterization of the molecularly imprinted polymer was systematically evaluated by electrochemical techniques, X-ray diffraction, fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, etc. The prepared BiPO4@GO modified CIP-imprinted magnetic polymer (BiPO4@GO-MMIPs) shows high selectivity towards their template/target analyte (i.e., CIP) and used for their visual (via fluorescence study) and trace level detection (via the electrochemical study) in various kind of complex matrix. The dual behaviour i.e. electrochemical and optical sensing of CIP was successfully achieved in a good linear range of 39.0 to 740.0 μg L−1 with detection of limit (LOD) of 0.39 μg L−1 for electrochemical study and 39.0 to 328.0 μg L−1 and LOD of 0.40 μg L−1 for optical study. The prepared BiPO4@GO-MMIPs were successfully used for the detection of CIP from complex matrix like blood serum, whole blood, and milk sample as well as removal and degradation of CIP with good efficiency.