Development of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based microfluidic gas sensors for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) detection
Date
2022-12-21
Authors
Azhdary, Peyman
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Abstract
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetically fabricated materials capable of selectively binding with target analytes and thereby enabling their selective detection. MIPs are good candidates for the selective detection of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis, as there is an emergent need for new technologies to selectively detect and monitor THC for health, safety, and quality control applications, especially portable miniaturized devices (e.g. for roadside tests). Microfluidic gas sensors are modifiable miniaturized devices that selectively detect a target gas through microchannel modifications. In this study, highly selective microfluidic gas sensors toward THC are reported based on MIP coatings. The sensors’ performance was evaluated by exposure to THC, Cannabidiol (CBD), methanol, and ethanol samples. The findings demonstrated that the recognition sites of MIP properly captured THC molecules, enabling distinguishing THC from CBD, methanol, and ethanol.
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Keywords
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Microfluidic gas sensors