(549c) Aptes-Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals for Carbofuran Detection

This talk describes a novel modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to enable their use as selective sensors for detecting emerging contaminants in water. Carbofuran, a broad-spectrum insecticide and nematicide, was used as a model analyte. First, the CNCs were modified with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxy silane (APTES) to impart hydrolytic stability. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was developed and applied as a coating to CNC-APTES film to enable selective detection. The mechanical properties and hydrolytic stability of pure CNC and modified free-standing films were investigated to explore their potential in device fabrication and applications requiring immersion in water. CNC films did not retain their integrity in water. The APTES modification enhanced the films’ hydrolytic stability without altering tensile strength. The MIP layer reduced the tensile strength of the films but also provided hydrolytic stability. The sensitivity and selectivity of CNC-APTES-MIP were investigated using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCMD). The material exhibited selective sensing of carbofuran compared to the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D), which has a similar benzene-based structure. The sensitivity was as low as 0.03 ppm, lower than standard commercial sensors. These results highlight CNCs’ potential for sensing a wide range of analytes and their potential use in multiplexed devices for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes.