Laser-Assisted Visible-Light Polymerization for Rapid Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

The demand for rapid, energy-efficient, and low-toxicity methods for synthesizing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is increasing, particularly for applications in environmental monitoring and green chemistry. In this context, the present work focuses on the development of a novel laser-assisted method for MIP synthesis, employing a visible laser (450 nm) and erythrosine B as a green photoinitiator. This visible-light approach enables fast and spatially controlled polymerization while avoiding the drawbacks of conventional methods (thermal heating, UV synthesis), such as the use of toxic initiators like AIBN and the need for UV shielding. MIPs were synthesized for bisphenol A and sulfamethoxazole, two emerging contaminants of significant environmental concern. The synthesis process was optimized for rapidity and scalability, and the resulting MIPs were integrated into a paper-based analytical device (MIP-PAD) for smartphone-assisted, on-site detection. The developed sensors exhibited excellent analytical performance, with recovery rates of 98.6% in tap water and 90.2% in river water and relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 1.88%. This study demonstrated a green, efficient, and highly controllable laser-assisted polymerization technique, offering a promising alternative to conventional MIP synthesis methods.