Nano-MIP based sensor for penicillin G: Sensitive layer and analytical validation

•The first combination of PenG imprinted nano-MIPs as sensitive layer and Reflectometric Interference Spectroscopy.•A direct optical sensing method for the quick and easy readout of PenG concentrations in aqueous buffer media.•A novel synthesis of Penicillin G imprinted polymer nanoparticles via inverse miniemulsion polymerization.•Azide modification and covalently immobilization of imprinted nanoparticles on a transducer surface via click chemistry. We herein report the synthesis of novel Penicillin G (PenG) imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIPs) via inverse miniemulsion polymerization. Nanoscaled co-polymer particles consisting of N-(2-aminoethyl) methacrylamide hydrochloride as functional monomer and N,N'-Ethylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker have been synthesized in the presence of PenG. These particles have been applied to form a sensitive layer for label-free direct optical sensing of Penicillin G. As reference material non-imprinted particles (NIPs) were used. The particles were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Particles in the size of ≈400 nm (z-average) and a low polydispersity index (PDI