Advances in Molecularly Imprinted Systems: Materials, Characterization Methods and Analytical Applications
Authors: Saylan Yeşeren , Denizli Adil 
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

A molecular imprinting is one of the fascinating modification methods that
employ molecules as targets to create geometric cavities for recognition of targets in the polymeric
matrix. This method provides a broad versatility to imprint target molecules with different size,
three-dimensional structure and physicochemical features. In contrast to the complex and timeconsuming
laboratory surface modification procedures, this method offers a rapid, sensitive,
inexpensive, easy-to-use, and selective approach for the diagnosis, screening and monitoring
disorders. Owing to their unique features such as high selectivity, physical and chemical robustness,
high stability, low-cost and reusability of this method, molecularly imprinted polymers have become
very attractive materials and been applied in various applications from separation to detection.

Background:

The aims of this review are structured according to the fundamentals of molecularly
imprinted polymers involving essential elements, preparation procedures and also the analytical
applications platforms. Finally, the future perspectives to increase the development of molecularly
imprinted platforms.

Methods:

A molecular imprinting is one of the commonly used modification methods that apply
target as a recognition element itself and provide a wide range of versatility to replica other targets
with a different structure, size, and physicochemical features. A rapid, easy, cheap and specific
recognition approach has become one of the investigation areas on, especially biochemistry,
biomedicine and biotechnology. In recent years, several technologies of molecular imprinting method
have gained prompt development according to continuous use and improvement of traditional
polymerization techniques.

Results:

The molecularly imprinted polymers with excellent performances have been prepared and
also more exciting and universal applications have been recognized. In contrast to the conventional
methods, the imprinted systems have superior advantages including high stability, relative ease and
low cost of preparation, resistance to elevated temperature, and pressure and potential application to
various target molecules. In view of these considerations, molecularly imprinted systems have found
application in various fields of analytical chemistry including separation, purification, detection and
spectrophotometric systems.

Conclusion:

Recent analytical methods are reported to develop the binding kinetics of imprinted
systems by using the development of other technologies. The combined platforms are among the
most encouraging systems to detect and recognize several molecules. The diversity of molecular
imprinting methods was overviewed for different analytical application platforms. There is still a
requirement of more knowledge on the molecular features of these polymers. A next step would
further be the optimization of different systems with more homogeneous and easily reachable
recognition sites to reduce the laborious in the accessibility in the three-dimensional polymeric
materials in sufficient recognition features and also better selectivity and sensitivity for a wide range
of molecules.