In addition to sensitivity, selectivity, and portability,
chemical
sensing systems must generate reliable signals and offer modular configurability
to address various small molecule targets, particularly in environmental
applications. We present a versatile, modular strategy utilizing ratiometric
molecularly imprinted particle probes based on BODIPY indicators and
dyes for recognition and internal referencing. Our approach employs
polystyrene core particles doped with a red fluorescent BODIPY as
an internal standard, providing built-in reference for environmental
influences. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) recognition shell,
incorporating a green-fluorescent BODIPY indicator monomer with a
thiourea binding site for carboxylate-containing analytes, is grafted
from the core particles in the presence of the analyte as the template.
The dual-fluorescent MIP probe detects fexofenadine as the model analyte
with a change in green emission signal referenced against a stable
red signal, achieving a detection limit of 0.13 μM and a broad
dynamic range from 0.16 μM to 1.2 mM, with good discrimination
against other antibiotics in acetonitrile. By selecting a versatile
dye scaffold and recognition element, this approach can be extended
to other carboxylate-containing analytes and/or wavelength combinations,
potentially serving as a robust multiplexing platform.