Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensor on Conductive Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers face challenges in achieving homogeneous performance and reproducibility due to difficulties in obtaining a homogeneous product through radical polymerization, particularly in therapeutic drug monitoring where sensitive and reliable detection of substances like heparin and warfarin is required.
Innovation Solution
A sensor comprising conductive particles with molecularly imprinted polymers on their surface, specifically using graphite particles, where a functional monomer like trimethylammonium ethyl methacrylate chloride and a crosslinkable monomer like methylenebisacrylamide are polymerized with a measurement substance, allowing for sensitive detection of anticoagulants and other substances through changes in current density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radical polymerization is used to immobilize molecularly imprinted polymer on electrode surface, then the sensor can be prepared, but the performance and reproducibility among electrodes vary significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional radical polymerization method (chemical process) with a coordination polymerization method using transition metal complexes (metal-mediated process). This substitution enables controlled polymer growth on electrode surfaces, achieving uniform MIP coating and consistent sensor performance across multiple electrodes, thereby resolving the reproducibility and homogeneity issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polymerization mechanism parameters by introducing transition metal complexes as catalysts and controlling coordination geometry. This parameter change allows precise control over polymer chain growth, ensuring uniform MIP layer formation on electrode surfaces and eliminating the variability observed in radical polymerization methods
2Productivity
If the liquid layer thickness is reduced or irradiation intensity is increased during polymerization, then polymerization efficiency improves, but homogeneous product formation becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes photopolymerization (light-based) with coordination polymerization (metal-catalyzed). This eliminates the need for optimizing light penetration through liquid layers and allows controlled polymer growth from the electrode surface outward, achieving both high efficiency and uniform product formation simultaneously
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor achieves highly sensitive and reproducible measurements with stable performance in both aqueous and blood-based samples, enabling effective therapeutic drug monitoring with reduced variations and improved sensitivity compared to conventional techniques.
Implementation Method 1
A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is a molecular recognition element obtained by copolymerizing, in the presence of a substance to be recognized (template), a monomer having affinity with the template (functional monomer) and a crosslinkable monomer.
Implementation Method 2
This is presumably because the specific interaction between the template and MIP causes change in the accessibility of a redox species to a substrate electrode (gate effect). The template can be sensed conveniently and rapidly by measuring this current.
Implementation Method 3
a conductive particle having a molecularly imprinted polymer on the surface, wherein the conductive particle is a graphite particle, and the conductive particle having a molecularly imprinted polymer on the surface is a conductive particle obtained by polymerizing a functional monomer, a crosslinkable monomer, and a measurement substance through contact with an initiator-immobilized particle.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor in which a molecularly imprinted polymer is immobilized on the surface, the sensor having homogeneous performance and excellent reproducibility of measurement. The present invention provides a sensor comprising: a conductive particle having a molecularly imprinted polymer on the surface; and a support.