Molecular imprinting technology for next-generation water treatment via photocatalysis and selective pollutant adsorption

Abstract

With the growth of industry and agriculture, contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, phenolic residues, heavy metals, among others, have been caused serious pollution of water bodies and soil, so it is very urgently needed to find highly efficacious and cost-effective materials to remove these pollutants from environment. Owing to their low molecular weight, not easily degraded and long-term presence in the aquatic environment, super-stable mineralization effect, easily modifiable surfaces, and anion intercalation properties, molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) present unique advantages in the removal of emerging pollutants. It is very critical to understand the mechanism of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, phenolic residues, dyes, and heavy metals removal by MIPs for the subsequent design of the adsorbent and photodegradation materials structure. Herein, we discuss the recent advancements in the applications of MIPs in water treatment, with a major focus on their use in adsorption and photocatalysis. The preparation methods and characterization of MIPs intended for water treatment are discussed at the beginning of this review. Then it discusses the potential of MIPs-based nanocomposites for the selective photocatalytic degradation and adsorption of a wide range of pollutants in water. Finally, a summary and the ongoing research efforts in this field is further provided.