Magnetic core–shell nanoparticles coated with a molecularly imprinted organogel for organophosphate hydrolysis

Abstract

Catalytic core-shell nanoparticles were obtained by coating an iron oxide core with a hybrid organic-inorganic silica shell using vinyl-triethoxy-silane and aminopropyl-triethoxy-silane. The amino group was further functionalised with arginine, used as catalytic moiety for the inactivation of organophosphate pesticides through hydrolysis. By exploiting the vinyl groups of the organosilica as anchorage, an additional outer layer made by molecularly imprinted organogel was built up through high-dilution radical polymerisation. The resulting organogel contains the imprinting complex, which derives from the guanidinium groups of the arginine and the organophosphate used as molecular template. The removal of the organophosphate from the imprinted cavities allowed obtaining core-shell magnetic nanoparticles with a molecularly imprinted acrylamide-based outer layer. These nanoparticles are capable of hydrolysing the commercial pesticide Paraoxon with a reaction rate 50 % faster than the corresponding background hydrolysis. Graphical Abstract

Selective detection of organophosphate through molecularly imprinted GERS‐active hybrid organic–inorganic materials

“…This neurotoxic effect can produce serious damages to the central nervous system causing neurodevelopmental deficits in young children and also death. For this reason, the need for environmental monitoring of these species has raised a growing demand for systems capable of inactivating them . Alternatively, fast and reliable sensing devices able of quantitative monitoring their concentration in water samples are highly sought after .…”

Magnetic soft organogel supercapacitor electrolyte for energy storage

“…22 Magnetic organogels are composites made of an organogel matrix and magnetic inclusions. 23 In addition, the magnetic effect can be achieved by changing the synthesis process to produce highquality electrode materials with specific performance and improved electrochemical energy-storage capability. 24 Metal oxide is one of the commonly used electrode materials for preparing electrolytes for supercapacitors, 25 and most metal oxides show magnetism.…”