Molecularly Imprinted Membranes: Past, Present, and Future.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Separation Science

Background:

• Artificial materials with molecular recognition sites have existed for over 80 years.
• Molecular imprinting applications in membrane separation have been explored since 1962, with intensive research since 1990.
• The development of ideal membranes remains an active research area, integrating membrane separation and molecular imprinting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review at the intersection of membrane separation and molecularly imprinted polymers.
• To highlight recent discoveries and acknowledge pioneering work in molecularly imprinted membranes.
• To offer insights into the future of molecularly imprinted membranes and their applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of fundamental principles of membrane separation and mass transport.
• Exploration of molecular imprinting and alternative imprinting techniques for creating recognition materials.
• Discussion of methods for fabricating and applying molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs).

Main Results:

• Recent advancements in MIMs demonstrate their potential for high throughput without compromising permselectivity.
• Molecularly imprinted nanofiber membranes are identified as a highly optimized membrane type.
• The review synthesizes findings from the past three years, alongside historical contributions.

Conclusions:

• Molecular imprinting offers significant advantages for developing advanced membrane separation technologies.
• MIMs show promise for diverse applications, driven by their tailored molecular recognition capabilities.
• The field is dynamic, with ongoing research focused on optimizing MIMs for enhanced performance and broader utility.