Sensing plastics with electrode sensor to monitor fluid environments

A sensor electrode for detecting micro plastics, nano plastics, or both in a fluid environment, the sensor comprising:

• a. a screen-printed carbon electrode comprising:
• i. a working electrode;
• ii. a counter electrode;
• and
• iii. a silver reference electrode;
• b. a molecularly imprinted polymer layer superposed onto the working electrode;
• c. a connection interface communicatively coupled to the working electrode, wherein the connection interface is configured to operably connect to an outside electrochemical control unit and transmit an electric current across the screen-printed carbon electrode;
• and
• d. wherein the molecularly imprinted polymer layer comprises a plurality of cavities disposed about the outer surface of the molecularly imprinted polymer layer.

A method of detecting micro plastics, nano plastics, or both in a fluid environment, the method comprising:

• a. disposing a sensor electrode for detecting micro plastics, nano plastics, or both communicatively coupled to an electrochemical control unit, within the fluid environment, the sensor electrode comprising:
• i. a screen-printed carbon electrode comprising:
• a working electrode;
• a counter electrode;
• and
• a silver reference electrode;
• ii. a molecularly imprinted polymer layer superposed onto the working electrode;
• iii. a connection interface communicatively coupled to the working electrode wherein the connection interface is configured to operably connect to an outside research device and transmit voltages across the screen-printed carbon electrode;
• and
• iv. wherein the molecularly imprinted polymer layer comprises a plurality of cavities disposed about the outer surface of the molecularly imprinted polymer layer;
• b. transmitting, via the electrochemical control unit, an electronic current into the sensor electrode, thereby inducing an electrochemical response;
• and
• c. generating a detection signal based on the electrochemical response from the sensor electrode.

A method for synthesizing a sensor electrode for detecting micro plastics, nano plastics, or both in a fluid environment, the method comprising:

• a. disposing a screen-printed carbon electrode within a hydrochloric acid solution;
• b. exposing the screen-printed carbon electrode to a polymerization solution;
• c. polymerizing the screen-printed carbon electrode via an electronic current wherein a layer of molecularly imprinted polymer having a plurality of cavities disposed about an outer surface of the molecularly imprinted polymer layer is formed on the screen-printed carbon electrode;
• and
• d. eluting the molecularly imprinted polymer matrix by suspending the screen-printed electrode in an elution solution.