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Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
1Dartmouth College , Department of Chemistry , Hanover , New Hampshire 03755 , United States.
Chemical Reviews
|September 25, 2018
Summary
Molecularly imprinted polymers act as synthetic receptors, mimicking natural antibodies. This review details their use as sensors for detecting various targets in solutions, from toxins to pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic receptors designed to selectively bind target molecules.
- They function analogously to natural antibody-antigen interactions.
- This review focuses on the evolution and application of MIPs as sensing materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical development of molecularly imprinted polymers.
- To highlight the application of MIPs as sensors for various targets.
- To discuss advancements in MIP sensor technology and future prospects.
Main Methods:
- Overview of molecularly imprinted polymer production techniques.
- Description of reporting systems (electrical, electrochemical, optical, gravimetric) integrated with MIPs.
- Analysis of computational chemistry's role in designing novel MIPs.
Main Results:
- MIPs demonstrate efficacy as sensors for detecting a wide range of analytes in solution.
- Applications include sensing toxic chemicals, food toxins, drugs, explosives, and pathogens.
- Recent developments in gas-phase sensing using MIPs are also surveyed.
Conclusions:
- Molecularly imprinted polymers offer a versatile platform for developing highly specific sensors.
- Integration with various reporting systems enhances their analytical capabilities.
- Continued research, aided by computational chemistry, promises further advancements in MIP sensor technology.
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