Molecularly Imprinting Polymers for Separation and Detection

A special issue of Separations (ISSN 2297-8739). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials in Separation Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 540

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT—Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Lomas de San Luis, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
Interests: molecularly imprinting polymers; environmental sciences; analytical chemistry; emerging pollutants

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Guest Editor
Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Rioverde, Carretera Rioverde-San Ciro Km 4.5, Rioverde, San Luis Potosí C.P. 79610, Mexico
Interests: emerging pollutants; environmental sciences; analytical chemistry; constructed wetlands; surfactants; sustainable developments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (Green MIPs) represent a technological innovation that combines advanced chemistry with sustainability to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MIPs are synthetic materials engineered to recognize and separate specific molecules with high selectivity, acting as “artificial antibodies.” In their “green” version, the aim is to minimize environmental impact during synthesis by using safer solvents, renewable energy, biodegradable monomers, and more efficient processes.

Their relevance to the SDGs is significant. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Green MIPs enable the detection of contaminants, pharmaceuticals, or biomarkers with high sensitivity, improving environmental monitoring and food safety. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), they help remove emerging pollutants such as pesticides or microplastics, contributing to cleaner water systems. In relation to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Green MIPs promote green chemistry practices that reduce waste and minimize the use of toxic substances. They also advance SDG 13 (Climate Action) by integrating sustainable solutions into key industrial sectors. Green MIPs are a powerful tool that merges scientific innovation with environmental responsibility, accelerating the transition toward safer, cleaner, and more sustainable societies aligned with the 2030 Agenda.

At present, MIPs are excellent candidates for monitoring, pre-concentration methods, sensor modification, and controlled drug release, among others, representing a novel approach to mitigating environmental and health impacts. This Special Issue aims to present a basis to identify current pollution and health impacts that can be addressed by disruptive technological innovations using MIPs. The topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, MIPs used as adaptable materials for water matrix monitoring, remediation, water quality improvement, preparation methods, and the recovery of chemical elements of environmental and economic interest, among others.

Dr. Rogelio Flores-Ramírez
Dr. Karla Ximena Vargas-Berrones
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • molecularly imprinting polymers
  • emerging pollutants
  • water quality
  • SDGs
  • sustainable development
  • green technologies
  • water bioremediation
  • environmental health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 3745 KB  
Article
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer with Photocatalytic Activity for the Adsorption and Degradation of Naproxen and Its Application in Real Water Samples
by Diana Samantha Villarreal-Lucio, Karla Ximena Vargas-Berrones, Brenda V. Loera-García, Vanessa Sarahí Galván-Romero, Carolina López-Saldaña, Raúl Ocampo-Pérez, Héctor Hernández-Mendoza and Rogelio Flores-Ramírez
Separations 2026, 13(4), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13040121 - 17 Apr 2026
Viewed by 328
Abstract
This research focused on the development and characterisation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) modified with titanium dioxide (TiO2) for the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of sodium naproxen (NPX). Different percentages of TiO2 (5% and 25%) were tested and compared to [...] Read more.
This research focused on the development and characterisation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) modified with titanium dioxide (TiO2) for the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of sodium naproxen (NPX). Different percentages of TiO2 (5% and 25%) were tested and compared to non-imprinted polymers (NIPs). FT-IR analysis confirmed the interaction between methacrylic acid and TiO2, promoting the formation of specific binding sites and presenting a good imprinting factor. The results showed that the MIP with 5% TiO2 had the highest adsorption and retention capacity, attributed to the imprinting effect and the reduced interference from TiO2. The surface of the MIPs is heterogeneous, as it was indicated by the Freundlich isotherm model. The KF for the MIP with 25% of TiO2 was higher than for the materials with 5%; values for the MIP/TiO2 5% and the NIP/TiO2 5% KF were 4.808 and 4.163 (mg/g)(L/mg)1/n respectively, while for the MIP/TiO2 25% was 6.542 (mg/g)(L/mg)1/n and for the NIP/TiO2 25% it was 2.736 (mg/g)(L/mg)1/n. Kinetic studies followed the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting more active binding sites in MIPs. Photocatalytic experiments achieved 60% degradation, demonstrating the degradation performance of MIPs; however, this behavior is restricted by the slow degradation of NPX. The materials were evaluated using a water sample (Querétaro River, México); the sample was preconcentrated and analyzed, detecting a concentration of 0.332 mg/L of NPX. This finding highlights the MIPs’ potential application in environmental monitoring and treatment; nevertheless, due to the recalcitrant nature of NPX, MIPs should be used along with other advanced treatment methods to achieve effective removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecularly Imprinting Polymers for Separation and Detection)
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