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Polymers
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Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
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Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2025) | Viewed by 8343

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Xizhi Shi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, China
Interests: molecularly imrpited polymers; fluorescence probe; application; fabrication

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are highly cross-linked porous-rich polymers with specific recognition sites complementary in shape, size and functional groups to the target molecule and capable of mimicking receptors and antibodies. Currently, molecularly imprinting technology has been rapidly developed and the obtained MIPs, with excellent properties of easy synthesis, high selectivity, biocompatibility, chemo-thermal stability and combustibility, are relevant to many fields. Meanwhile, the rapid development of preparation methods for MIPs has also further promoted their exploration in numerous fields.

The Special Issue focuses on the most recent advances in “Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers”, and promotes and contributes to the development of synthesis methods in order to obtain unique physical-chemical properties, and applications in environment, food safety, sample pretreatment, drug delivery, simulated enzyme catalysis, contaminant removal, and sensor technology, etc. The topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advanced molecular imprinting technology with excellent recognition performance;
  • Integration of MIPs with advanced nanomaterials and their applications;
  • The application of MIPs in environment, food safety, and biomedical applications;
  • Molecularly imprinted systems for biorecognition and biosensing. 

Prof. Dr. Xi-Zhi Shi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • MIPs
  • application
  • recognition

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2626 KiB  
Article
Fluorescent Molecular Imprinted Sensor Based on Carbon Quantum Dot for Nitrofen Detection in Water Sample
by Yuge Chen, Yongheng Zhou, Jinjie You, Zeming Zhang, Aili Sun, Hua Liu and Xizhi Shi
Polymers 2025, 17(6), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17060816 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 438
Abstract
The structure of nitrofen is stable and resistant to natural degradation, persisting in environments for extended periods. It can accumulate through the food chain, posing risks to human health. Here, we report a sensor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and molecular imprinting [...] Read more.
The structure of nitrofen is stable and resistant to natural degradation, persisting in environments for extended periods. It can accumulate through the food chain, posing risks to human health. Here, we report a sensor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and molecular imprinting technology (CQDs@MIPs). It not only possesses the specificity and stability of MIPs but also incorporates the environmental friendliness and signal amplification capabilities of CQDs, making it an ideal material for the specific detection of nitrofen residues in the environment. The interaction between CQDs@MIPs and nitrofen, as well as the successful removal of nitrofen, were confirmed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Zeta potential analysis, which evaluated the morphology and particle size of the prepared CQDs@MIPs. After binding with nitrofen, the CQDs@MIP sensor exhibited a low detection limit (2.5 × 10−3 mg·L−1), a wide detection range (0.01–40 mg·L−1), a good linear relationship (R2 = 0.9951), and a short detection time (5 min). The CQDs@MIP sensor also demonstrated excellent stability, with the fluorescence intensity of CQDs@MIPs remaining above 90% of the initial preparation after 20 days. At the same time, Red, Green, Blue (RGB) color model extraction technology is used to fit the color of the sample under different concentrations, and the smart phone application is integrated to realize the visual detection of nitrofen. Furthermore, acceptable accuracy was achieved in real water samples (recovery rates ranging from 84.1% to 115.7%), indicating that our CQDs@MIP sensor has high analytical potential for real samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers)
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16 pages, 4966 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Carbon Porous Polymer Prepared from a New Suspended Emulsion for the Absorption of Heavy Metal Ions
by Shoulian Wei, Shenwei Huang, Jun Zhou, Chun Xiao, Jiangfei Cao, Jibo Xiao and Chunsheng Xie
Polymers 2025, 17(3), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030257 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 999
Abstract
In this study, magnetic carbon nanopolymers (Fe3O4/C@PM) were synthesized by suspension polymerization using magnetic carbon nanoparticles as the matrix, 2-thiophene formaldehyde and acrylamide as the monomers, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the crosslinking agent. The obtained material was [...] Read more.
In this study, magnetic carbon nanopolymers (Fe3O4/C@PM) were synthesized by suspension polymerization using magnetic carbon nanoparticles as the matrix, 2-thiophene formaldehyde and acrylamide as the monomers, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the crosslinking agent. The obtained material was characterized using multiple techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The adsorption effects of Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ in the mixed solution were evaluated using magnetic carbon nanoparticles (Fe3O4/C) and Fe3O4/C@PM as adsorbents. The adsorption isotherms, kinetic models, and cyclic regeneration of various metal ions, including Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+, were studied. The results showed that the Fe3O4/C@PM maintained a slightly aggregated spherical morphology similar to Fe3O4/C and exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for all of Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+, with maximum adsorption capacities of 343.3, 250.7, and 177.6 mg·g−1, respectively. The adsorption mechanisms were mainly based on the chemical interactions between metal ions and functional groups on the surface of polymers. The kinetic study revealed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. When Fe3O4/C@PM was reused five times, its adsorption rates for Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ remained above 81%, indicating its great potential for the treatment of wastewater containing Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers)
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12 pages, 3318 KiB  
Article
Development of Molecularly Imprinted Photonic Crystals Sensor for High-Sensitivity, Rapid Detection of Sulfamethazine in Food Samples
by Jinxing He, Mengke Wu, Xin Wang, Ruoxuan Xu, Shuting Zhang and Xiaolei Zhao
Polymers 2025, 17(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17020160 - 10 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 704
Abstract
As a veterinary drug, sulfamethazine is frequently used to control animal diseases. In this study, a novel molecularly imprinted photonic crystal sensor for the fast visual detection of sulfamethazine in milk and chicken has been developed. Under optimum preparation conditions, a molecularly imprinted, [...] Read more.
As a veterinary drug, sulfamethazine is frequently used to control animal diseases. In this study, a novel molecularly imprinted photonic crystal sensor for the fast visual detection of sulfamethazine in milk and chicken has been developed. Under optimum preparation conditions, a molecularly imprinted, photonic crystal with an anti-opal structure and a clear bright color was prepared and characterized. The adsorption conditions, including adsorption solvent, solvent pH, and detection time, were studied in detailed. Based on its excellent selectivity and fast response, a photonic crystal sensor detection method for the quantitative analysis of sulfamethazine was established, which achieved good linearity, ranging from 10−4 mg/L to 10 mg/L, a limit detection of 1.16 μg/L, and spiked recoveries of 80.56% to 103.59%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) <6.41%. More importantly, the detection process could be completed within 3 min. This method provides an alternative for the rapid screening of sulfamethazine in food samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers)
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14 pages, 7266 KiB  
Article
A Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensor for the Detection of Norfloxacin in Foods Based on ZIF-8 Core–Shell-Structured Molecularly Imprinted Encoded Microspheres
by Ya Chen, Xueyong Qiao, Guoran Sun, Zhonghui Han, Lei Lv, Xiaolei Zhao and Jinxing He
Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3351; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233351 - 29 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 830
Abstract
The development of fluorescent sensors with high sensitivity and fast response times is attracting the interest of more and more researchers. Herein, dual-emission ratiometric molecularly imprinted fluorescent encoded microspheres were fabricated and applied for the fast detection of norfloxacin. Core–shell-structured imprinted polymers with [...] Read more.
The development of fluorescent sensors with high sensitivity and fast response times is attracting the interest of more and more researchers. Herein, dual-emission ratiometric molecularly imprinted fluorescent encoded microspheres were fabricated and applied for the fast detection of norfloxacin. Core–shell-structured imprinted polymers with ZIF-8 as the supporting core were obtained first and two quantum dots with green and red emission provided the fluorescent signal. The introduction of the optical encoding technique greatly simplified the preparation process. After the addition of NOR, the green intensity at 525 nm remained constant and the fluorescent intensity at 625 nm decreased significantly because of the inner filter effect. Under the optimum detection conditions, a good linear correlation ranged from 5 μg L−1 to 500 μg L−1, and the spiked recoveries of the method were 89.76%–106.94%. The detection limit for chicken, pork, fish, and milk samples was established at 2 μg L−1. More importantly, the established sensor provided a faster mass transfer rate, and the detection process took only 15 min, indicating great potential as an alternative for the fast detection of NOR in food samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers)
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18 pages, 3736 KiB  
Article
A 11B-NMR Method for the In Situ Monitoring of the Formation of Dynamic Covalent Boronate Esters in Dendrimers
by Yi-Wen Yao, Ching-Hua Tsai, Chih-Yi Liu, Fang-Yu Wang, Sodio C. N. Hsu, Chun-Cheng Lin, Hui-Ting Chen and Chai-Lin Kao
Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3258; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233258 - 23 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1091
Abstract
The in situ monitoring of dynamic covalent macromolecular boronate esters represents a difficult task. In this report, we present an in situ method using fluoride coordination and 11B NMR spectroscopy to determine the amount of boronate esters in a mixture of boronic [...] Read more.
The in situ monitoring of dynamic covalent macromolecular boronate esters represents a difficult task. In this report, we present an in situ method using fluoride coordination and 11B NMR spectroscopy to determine the amount of boronate esters in a mixture of boronic acids and cis-diols. With fluoride coordination, the boronic acid and boronate esters afforded trifluoroborate and fluoroboronate esters, giving identical resonances at 3 and 9 ppm in the 11B NMR spectra. The same titration did not alter the resonance of amine-coordinated boronate esters, which gave resonances of 14 ppm in the 11B NMR spectra. Therefore, boronic acids, boronate esters, and amine-coordinated boronate esters gave three identical resonances, and the ratio of each component was obtained by deconvolution for a further equilibrium analysis. This method monitored the conversion among three species in various conditions, including separation. Accordingly, boronate esters were more stable after precipitation than chromatography, in which 29% and 20% of boronate esters were lost after purification. This method was applied to study the reaction between the boronic acid-decorated defect lysine dendron (16) and dopamine. No boronic acid signal was observed after adding 1 equivalent of dopamine; no boronic acid signal was observed in the NMR spectrum. According to the spectrum, the product contains 65% boronate ester and 35% N–B-coordinated derivatives. This method helps identify the presence of the three intermediates and provides more insights into this reaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers)
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13 pages, 1244 KiB  
Article
Selective Extraction of Diazepam and Its Metabolites from Urine Samples by a Molecularly Imprinted Solid-Phase Extraction (MISPE) Method
by Ana María Gil Tejedor, Juan Carlos Bravo Yagüe, Gema Paniagua González, Rosa María Garcinuño Martínez and Pilar Fernández Hernando
Polymers 2024, 16(5), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16050635 - 27 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1986
Abstract
In this research, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by precipitation polymerization using oxazepam (OZ) as a template molecule and was subsequently applied as a selective sorbent for the extraction of diazepam (DZP) and its metabolites in urine samples using an SPE [...] Read more.
In this research, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by precipitation polymerization using oxazepam (OZ) as a template molecule and was subsequently applied as a selective sorbent for the extraction of diazepam (DZP) and its metabolites in urine samples using an SPE cartridge. OZ, temazepam (TZ), nordiazepam (NZ) and DZP were analyzed in the final extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The SPE extraction steps were optimized, and the evaluation of an imprinting factor was carried out. The selectivity of the method for OZ versus structurally related benzodiazepines (BZDs), such as bromazepam (BRZ), tetrazepam (TTZ) and halazepam (HZ), was investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed methodology provided good linearity in the range of 10–1500 ng/mL, with limit of detection values between 13.5 and 21.1 ng/mL and recovery levels for DZP and its metabolites from 89.0 to 93.9% (RSD ≤ 8%) at a concentration level of 1000 ng/mL. The proposed method exhibited good selectivity, precision and accuracy and was applied to the analysis of urine samples from a real case of DZP intake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers)
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Review

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16 pages, 983 KiB  
Review
Molecular Imprinting Technology for Advanced Delivery of Essential Oils
by Greta Kaspute, Arunas Ramanavicius and Urte Prentice
Polymers 2024, 16(17), 2441; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172441 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1525
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) hold therapeutic potential, but their conventional delivery systems have some limitations. This review focuses on the critical review and discussion of research related to EO delivery systems. The review also explores how molecular imprinting technologies (MIT) can advance EO delivery. [...] Read more.
Essential oils (EOs) hold therapeutic potential, but their conventional delivery systems have some limitations. This review focuses on the critical review and discussion of research related to EO delivery systems. The review also explores how molecular imprinting technologies (MIT) can advance EO delivery. MIT offer several techniques, namely covalent, non-covalent, and semi-covalent imprinting, creating targeted cavities that selectively bind and release EOs. These approaches promise significant advantages including increased selectivity, controlled release, and protection from environmental degradation. However, some challenges related to the stability and biocompatibility of MIPs remain unsolved. Integrating nanotechnology through methods like nanoparticle imprinting and some lithographic techniques seems promising to overcome these limitations. Some recently established models and systems used for EO-related research are paving the way for a more efficient and targeted EO delivery approach to harnessing the therapeutic power of EOs. Therefore, some recent and future research seems promising, and eventually it will increase the effectiveness of MIP-based EO delivery systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers)
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