Chapter 13 - Molecularly imprinted polymers: Applications and challenges in biological and environmental sample analysis

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are the stable synthetic polymeric compounds with the ability to recognize the molecules on the basis of the template provided at the time of its synthesis, thus, offering a predetermined selectivity to extract particular analytes for sample preparation. The synthesis of the MIPs involves a complex step of the polymerization with the use of a template, cross-linker, and function-bound specific monomers that basically interact with the template. From the last 2decades, the procedure for the development and application of MIPs in the area of analytical chemistry has been enhanced extensively. MIPs are incorporated with various sample preparation techniques such as solid-phase extraction, matrix solid-phase dispersion, stir-bar sorptive extraction, and solid-phase microextraction to produce an efficient sample preparation technique which has widened their application in the field of environmental and biological samples analysis. In sample preparation techniques, the MIPs are used as sorbent to adsorb the specific analytes or compounds from environmental or biological matrices. These polymeric materials possess specific voids that are compatible of binding with targeted molecules along with its geometrical analogues. Even though MIPs have various advantages such as morphological predictability, selectivity, thermal and chemical stability, they also have some disadvantages like heterogeneity of binding site, partial template leakage/removal, and limited binding ability that possess a challenge for its application. However, the application of MIP can be found for the removal of organic pollutant from environmental samples and to detect the compounds in biological samples. In this chapter, we discuss the synthesis of MIPs along with its application in the analysis of environmental and biological samples.