Sensitive Determination of Aflatoxin B1 Using Fluorescence of ZnO Quantum Dots-Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Composite

Molecularly Imprinting Polymer (MIP)-coated A ZnO Quantum Dots (QDs) composite was introduced for selective determination of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB) as a template. The MIP layer was obtained by a simple method containing the self-assembly process of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) monomers and tetraethyl ortho-silicate as a cross-linking agent. In order to create suitable sites in the polymeric matrix, AFB was applied as a proper template molecule. The inherent advantage of the MIP procedure is the great tendency of the prepared QDs toward the AFB molecules. The MIP-coated ZnO QDs displayed a potent fluorescence emission which could be quenched in the presence of AFB. This effect was exploited as the basis of a selective probe for the detection of AFB some water samples. In optimal conditions, a linear relationship between the emission intensity of prepared composite and concentration of AFB was obtained in the range of 0.008-1 mg/L with a detection limit of 0.003 mg/L. Linking the high selectivity of the MIP component with individual fluorescence features of ZnO QDs offers a sensitive and selective method for recognizing various toxic detection. The established method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of AFB contamination in environmental water samples.