MOLECULAR IMPRINTING THROUGH VAN-DER-WAALS INTERACTIONS - FLUORESCENCE DETECTION OF PAHS IN WATER

Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is important sinc e they are known to be carcinogenic. The feasibility of detection by c hemical sensors by means of fluorescence spectroscopy is demonstrated. It is described how sensor layers are produced by being polymerized i n the presence of PAHs - molecular imprinting is effected via non-cova lent interactions as PAHs have no pronounced functionality-which leave s hollows optimized for particular PAHs when the imprinting PAHs are r emoved. Analyte inclusion in the optimized hollows is shown to lead to favorable selectivities and excellent sensitivity.