PhD thesis supervisor: dr. Vilma Ratautaitė (apply for recommendation)
Non-specific interaction in a molecularly imprinted polymer
The most important parameters characterizing an electrochemical sensor are sensitivity, sensitivity range, and selectivity. The main goal in modifying an electrochemical sensor with electrically conductive polymers and applying molecular imprinting technology is to control the sensor's selectivity. Since the principle of molecular imprinting is the selective interaction of target chemical compounds through certain interaction sites created during the formation of molecular imprints, the so-called complementary cavities, it is most desirable that the interaction occurs only at these specific interaction sites formed. However, when applying such molecular imprints, it is noticeable that, along with the interaction of target compounds with the expected complementary polymer interaction cavities, non-specific interaction also occurs in parallel. Thus, the main goal of this doctoral thesis is to investigate and search for methods and ways to reduce or minimize non-specific interactions when applying polymers modified by molecular imprinting in electrochemical sensors.