In this work, a new kind of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based on CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs), magnetic Fe3O4 and graphene oxide (GO) was prepared for selective recognition and separation of p-t-octylphenol (OP). GO was used to increase sensing rate and adsorption capacity, while magnetic Fe3O4 can facilitate the separation of MIPs at the end of their adsorption. Moreover, CdTe/CdS QDs offered readout signal to monitor the amount of OP bound to the imprinted matrix and evaluate the efficiency of imprinting. The molecularly imprinted film provided analyte selectivity. The prepared composite was evaluated and characterized in detail by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and X-ray diffraction analysis. This hybrid had a Ms value of 5.52 emu g(-1), which provided an efficient way to separate toxic pollutants from extreme environments. The relative fluorescence intensity of MIPs decreased linearly with increasing concentration of OP in the range of 0.5-35 mu mol L-1 with a detection limit of 0.15 mu mol L-1, which formed a simple and selective sensing system for recognition of OP. The MIPs was also used as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbent, followed by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) analysis, which might offer a novel method for the enrichment and determination of trace OP in water samples. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.