Radiolytically molecularly imprinted polymer@Au nanocomposites for morphine sensing

The molecular imprinted polymer (MIP)@Au nanocomposites by grafting the MIP layers at the surface of the gold cores were successfully prepared for morphine recognition and detection. This approach allows a fine control of the interface between the Au NPs and the MIP layers. A large amount of work has been devoted to the preparation of thin films of MIP@ Au NPs, much fewer studies have focused on the use of such nanocomposites in the form of colloidal particles dispersed in solution. The interest of the colloidal form compared to the thin film format lies in (i) an increase in specific surface area, the particle being in full contact with the solution containing the target molecule, and (ii) their possible use in biomedical conditions for in vivo/in vitro sensing or drug delivery. In this study we focus on the radiolytically preparation of Au nanoparticles in polymer matrix as sensing materials for fluorescent sensing of morphine. The fluorescence of the MIP@ Au NPs is quenched on loading with morphine solution, and the effect is much stronger for the MIP@ Au NPs than for the non-imprinted polymer (NIP)@Au NPs, which indicates the MIP@ Au NPs could be as a recognition template composite. Under the optimal conditions, the sensor could recognize morphine from synthetic samples with satisfactory results.