Advancing imprinted polymers: Pre-orientation, self-assembly, and porosity in 3D printing

Targeted isolation of specific compounds from complex matrices remains a central challenge across analytical, biomedical, and environmental sciences. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer a promising solution by enabling specific and reproducible binding of analytes. However, conventional imprinting techniques often suffer from heterogeneous binding sites and limited spatial control, restricting their broader utility. We see great potential in combining polymerization-induced phase-separation with photocuring 3D printing and oriented imprinting to fabricate monolithic, hierarchically porous MIPs with homogeneous and accessible binding moieties. This emerging platform enables the design of highly tailorable materials featuring distinct specificity and tunable architectures while being straightforward to produce, adapt, and scale. Beyond addressing current limitations, this strategy opens new avenues for translating imprinting technologies into industrially relevant formats. In this perspective, we outline the conceptual and technological implications of 3D-printed oriented MIPs, discuss their potential across disciplines, and highlight key challenges and opportunities for future research and application.