Electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers: perceptions based on recent literature for soon-to-be world-class scientists

Electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (e-MIPs) are interesting selective electrochemically produced materials that imitate biological antibody-antigen systems. This review of recent developments (2018-2020) on the application of e-MIPs in analytical chemistry introduces beginners to this promising field of research, describing their development, common functional monomers, applied characterization techniques, and the instrumental detection techniques used. However, it also intends to tell experienced readers some of the advances and trends: the use of graphene and nanomaterials, recurring to synergetic computational studies (to predict and understand polymerization and molecular imprinted polymer-analyte interactions), the simultaneous detection of more than one analyte, multiplex e-MIP systems, enzymatic template removal, using epitopes as templates for large molecules and bacteria, or the application of electrochemical tags.

Automated summary

Electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (e-MIPs) are highly selective materials that mimic biological antibody-antigen systems and have been widely applied in analytical chemistry in recent years. Research shows that e-MIPs have great potential in the field of molecular imprinting, and new technologies such as graphene and nanomaterials can be used to enhance their performance.