Molecular imprinting technology (MIT), often described as a method of making a molecular lock to match a molecular key, is a technique for the creation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with tailor-made binding sites complementary to the template molecules in shape, size and functional groups. Owing to their unique features of structure predictability, recognition specificity and application universality, MIPs have found a wide range of applications in various fields. Herein, we propose to comprehensively review the recent advances in molecular imprinting including versatile perspectives and applications, concerning novel preparation technologies and strategies of MIT, and highlight the applications of MIPs. The fundamentals of MIPs involving essential elements, preparation procedures and characterization methods are briefly outlined. Smart MIT for MIPs is especially highlighted including ingenious MIT (surface imprinting, nanoimprinting, etc.), special strategies of MIT (dummy imprinting, segment imprinting, etc.) and stimuli-responsive MIT (single/dual/multi-responsive technology). By virtue of smart MIT, new formatted MIPs gain popularity for versatile applications, including sample pretreatment/chromatographic separation (solid phase extraction, monolithic column chromatography, etc.) and chemical/biological sensing (electrochemical sensing, fluorescence sensing, etc.). Finally, we propose the remaining challenges and future perspectives to accelerate the development of MIT, and to utilize it for further developing versatile MIPs with a wide range of applications (650 references).

http://ir.yic.ac.cn/bitstream/133337/17045/1/Molecular%20imprinting%20perspectives%20and%20applications.pdf

Molecular imprinting: perspectives and applications

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, rev ...

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011.

More than 80% of analysis time is spent on sample collection and sample preparation, so sample preparation is a critical part of the analytical process. Traditionally, liquid-liquid extraction was developed and employed to screen for general unknowns. However, solid-phase extraction (SPE) is becoming highly popular as an alternative, due to its simplicity and economy in terms of time and solvent. This review summarizes the current state of the art and the future prospects for green analytical chemistry with special emphasis on environment-friendly sample-preparation techniques based on the solid phase. We discuss in detail miniaturized SPE techniques, based on the most relevant, most representative and most recent scientific references.

Miniaturized solid-phase extraction techniques

Sample preparation is still considered the bottleneck of the whole analytical process. In this regard, improvement in selectivity during extraction and/or subsequent clean-up of sample extracts is an area of intense research activity. One of the most versatile, promising options is to incorporate molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) into sample preparation. MIPs are tailor-made, stable polymers with molecular recognition abilities, so that they are excellent materials for providing selectivity in sample preparation. This review describes the use of MIPs in sample preparation, including solid-phase extraction, and corresponding recent improvements, and their recent incorporation into other extraction techniques (e.g., solid-phase microextraction, matrix-solid phase dispersion and stir-bar sorptive extraction). It discusses the advantages and the drawbacks of each methodology, and the future expected trends.

Molecularly-imprinted polymers as a versatile, highly selective tool in sample preparation

Advances and recent trends in the field of monolithic columns for chromatography.

Investigation of ractopamine molecularly imprinted stir bar sorptive extraction and its application for trace analysis of β2-agonists in complex samples

A novel molecularly imprinted solid-phase microextraction fiber coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for analysis of trace estrogens in fishery samples.

Development of selective and chemically stable coating for stir bar sorptive extraction by molecularly imprinted technique.

Dynamic liquid-liquid-solid microextraction based on molecularly imprinted polymer filaments on-line coupling to high performance liquid chromatography for direct analysis of estrogens in complex samples.

In-tube solid-phase microextraction based on NH2-MIL-53(Al)-polymer monolithic column for online coupling with high-performance liquid chromatography for directly sensitive analysis of estrogens in human urine.

Yufei Hu

Papers

Investigation of ractopamine molecularly imprinted stir bar sorptive extraction and its application for trace analysis of β2-agonists in complex samples

A novel molecularly imprinted solid-phase microextraction fiber coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for analysis of trace estrogens in fishery samples.

Development of selective and chemically stable coating for stir bar sorptive extraction by molecularly imprinted technique.

Dynamic liquid-liquid-solid microextraction based on molecularly imprinted polymer filaments on-line coupling to high performance liquid chromatography for direct analysis of estrogens in complex samples.

In-tube solid-phase microextraction based on NH2-MIL-53(Al)-polymer monolithic column for online coupling with high-performance liquid chromatography for directly sensitive analysis of estrogens in human urine.