Nano-molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Advanced Environmental Monitoring: Synthesis, Applications, and Performance

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) represent an innovative approach to precise and selective pollutant analysis. However, the recent integration of nanomaterials has truly transformed the landscape of environmental monitoring. By combining MIPs with nanomaterials, these sensors exhibit enhanced signal transduction, amplification, and rapid response times. The synergy between MIPs and nanomaterials facilitates the selective capture of a wide range of pollutants, from small organic compounds to heavy metals, pesticides, and even pathogenic bacteria. In this chapter, we delve into a comprehensive exploration of MIPs as sensing elements in environmental monitoring, with a specific focus on their development using nanomaterials for superior performance. The chapter begins with an in-depth overview of the MIP approach, highlighting its versatility as a molecular recognition strategy. The focus is on the synthesis of MIPs with nanomaterials, which enhance the material’s surface properties, selectivity, and sensitivity, resulting in impressive sensor capabilities. Additionally, the diverse applications of MIP-based sensors and biosensors in environmental monitoring scenarios are discussed, evaluating their potential to detect and quantify contaminants in complex matrices.