Ultrasensitive and Selective Detection of Ibrutinib Using Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor Based on Polyaniline Decorated Strontium-Metal Organic Framework Nanocomposite

We report the development of a highly-sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for detection of ibrutinib by integrating a molecularly-imprinted polymer (MIP) with a polyaniline-strontium metal-organic framework (PANI@Sr-MOF) nanocomposite. The sensor was fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with PANI@Sr-MOF, followed by electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine in the presence of ibrutinib. This design combines the high surface area of the Sr-MOF with the excellent electrical conductivity of polyaniline, resulting in enhanced sensing performance. The PANI@Sr-MOF nanocomposites were comprehensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The synergistic electrochemical behavior of the PANI@Sr-MOF composite was further confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements using the [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3−/4− redox probe. The developed sensor exhibited a linear response toward ibrutinib concentrations ranging from 1 pM to 1 nM, with a limit of detection of 0.18 pM and an imprinting factor of 1.39, demonstrating superior selectivity compared to the non-imprinted control. Moreover, the PANI@Sr-MOF/GCE nanosensor showed excellent analytical performance in pharmaceutical dosage forms, achieving a recovery rate of 98.56%. This cost-effective and environmentally-friendly sensing platform represents a promising analytical tool for pharmaceutical applications.