Abstract: A novel polymer based on the molecular imprinting technique was prepared using ethylene glycol maleic rosinate acrylate acid glycol ester as the cross-linker, caffeine as template and methyl acrylic acid as functional monomer. A molecularly imprinted polymer membrane was synthesized in vacuum drying oven by free radical polymerization. The electrochemical behavior of the membrane was characterized by cyclic voltammetry(CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS). Under the optimal conditions, the peak currents and the analytical concentration have a good linear relationship over the range of 3.00?10^-3 to 2.73 mmol/L(R=0.9966) with a detection limit of 1.12?10^-4 mmol/L(S/N=3). The electrochemical sensor displayed excellent repeatability, high sensitivity, long-term stability, and good selectivity. The developed sensor was successfully applied to the determination of caffeine in coca-cola samples with average recovery of 98.7%.

Key words: Maleic rosin acrylic acid glycol ester, Caffeine, Molecularly imprinted polymer, Electrochemical sensor