Small Toxic Molecule Detection and Elimination Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs)

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) provide selective, robust, and cost-effective platforms for the detection and removal of small toxic molecules in environmental, food, and biomedical contexts. This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in MIP-based systems, emphasizing critical design factors such as template selection, functional monomers, polymerization methods, and binding kinetics. The impact of these parameters on improving sensitivity, selectivity, and reusability is thoroughly examined. Additionally, current advantages, limitations, and enduring challenges are addressed. By highlighting emerging strategies and interdisciplinary innovations, this work aims to guide the development of more efficient and sustainable technologies for small-molecule toxin detection and remediation.

Keywords: elimination; molecular imprinted polymer; sensing; small toxic molecules.

Figure 5

(A) Dual-quenching mechanisms of an MIP-ECL sensor for diuron: (I) signal blocking and (II) interaction with TEA (Reprinted with permission from [92]. Copyright 2024 Elsevier); (B) Preparation of Eu/Tb-MOF@MIPs and smartphone-based platform for PFOA detection (Reprinted with permission from [118]. Copyright 2024 Elsevier).

Figure 1

Schematic illustration of MIP-based detection and elimination of small toxic molecules using molecularly imprinted polymers.

Figure 2

(A) Preparation scheme of an MIP-modified electrode based on ICP@MWCNT, (B) DPVs of the sensor at CPF concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 1000 nM, and (C) corresponding calibration curve of current response versus log[CPF] concentration (Reprinted with permission from [75]. Copyright 2022 Elsevier); (D) Electrochemical sensing mechanism of an MIP-based electrode (Reprinted with permission from [76]. Copyright 2022 Elsevier).

Figure 3

(A) Synthesis scheme of polydopamine-imprinted coatings over CDs (CDs@MI-PDA) for 17β-estradiol detection and (B) Stern–Volmer plot showing fluorescence quenching at E2 concentrations of 0–50 ng/mL (Reprinted with permission from [80]. Copyright 2022 Elsevier); (C) Fluorescence spectra and (D) calibration plots for imazapyr (IMA) detection using a molecularly imprinted ratio fluorescent (MIRF) probe (Reprinted with permission from [81]. Copyright 2024 Elsevier); (E) Fabrication steps and (F) sensing mechanism of an MIP-NP-modified SMF–PCF–SMF optical sensor for p-cresol detection (Reprinted with permission from [83]. Copyright 2023 American Chemical Society).

Figure 4

(A) Schematic illustration of the fabrication process for QCM sensors coated with surface-imprinted polymers (S-MIPs) (Reprinted with permission from [87]. Copyright 2023 American Chemical Society); (B) Synthesis scheme of a hydrophilic PVDF-based MIP, (C) The frequency shift (Δf) response of the MIP-SAW sensor to various tryptophan (Trp) concentrations, and (D) corresponding calibration curve (Reprinted with permission from [88]. Copyright 2022 Elsevier).

Figure 6

(A) Schematic of MIP formation via hydrogen-bonded copolymerization of DEP and MAA within MOF channels, followed by imprinting and template removal to create selective binding sites (Reprinted with permission from [124]. Copyright 2020 Elsevier); (B) Adsorption isotherms curves of cyproheptadine (CYP) on MMIPs and MNIPs, and (C) regeneration performance of MMIPs. (Reprinted with permission from [125]. Copyright 2021 Elsevier).

Figure 7

(A) Fabrication process of molecularly imprinted TiO₂@Fe₂O₃@g-C₃N₄ (MFTC) photocatalyst for selective degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) (reprinted with permission from [126]. Copyright 2024 Elsevier); (B) mechanism of selective adsorption and photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) using MIP-CeO₂@BC photocatalyst (reprinted with permission from [128]. Copyright 2025 Elsevier).

Figure 8

(A) Proposed activation mechanism of persulfate (PS) by Fe-MOF-74/MIP and (B) its selective performance toward dimethyl phthalate (DMP) (reprinted with permission from [130]. Copyright 2021 Elsevier); (C) schematic of targeted pollutant degradation in a molecularly imprinted catalytic membrane reactor (MICMR) (reprinted with permission from [133]. Copyright 2023 Elsevier).

Figure 9

(A) Preparation of DMI TiO₂ (001) electrode and (B) degradation profiles of 2,4-D, 2,4-DP, and natural organic matters using non-imprinted (NI) and DMI TiO₂ (001) electrodes (reprinted with permission from [156]. Copyright 2022 Elsevier); (C) mechanism of selective redox removal of ceftriaxone (CTRX) and Cr(VI) using a bifunctional MIP-based photocatalyst (reprinted with permission from [129]. Copyright 2024 Elsevier).