Studying the Effect of Adhesive Layer Composition on MIP-Based Thermal Biosensing.

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based thermal sensing has proven to be a very interesting tool for diagnostic purposes. However, many fundamental phenomena are not yet fully understood. In the following study, MIPs are imprinted with the new psychoactive substance methoxphenidine (2-MXP). Thermal detection of this compound in water is demonstrated for the very first time and the effect of varying the adhesive layer composition on the performance of the sensor is analyzed. Three different polymers are used to create a uniform adhesive layer. The surface coverage of MIPs on each of the layers as well as the heat-transfer properties are studied. The results of the study indicate that the chips coated with poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) display a higher surface coverage and a lower thermal resistance value. This results in an improved effect size and therefore improves dynamic range of the sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]