Advancing green chemistry in environmental monitoring: the role of electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensors

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic materials designed to mimic the natural “lock and key” mechanism observed in biomolecular systems, such as the interactions between antibodies and antigens. As recognition elements, MIPs exhibit high selectivity and affinity toward both biological and chemical targets, making them suitable for various analytical applications. This tutorial review provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of the existing literature on MIPs, with a particular emphasis on those synthesized through electropolymerization—herein referred to as electropolymerized MIPs (eMIPs)—and their application in the development of molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors (MIES) specifically designed for environmental monitoring. The synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is a critical aspect of their development, involving various techniques, among which, there's electropolymerization (also known as electrochemical polymerization). This scholarly article attempts to position electropolymerization as a superior and more environmentally sustainable method for the synthesis of MIPs, that is, electrochemically synthesized MIPs (eMIPs). Compared to traditional MIP synthesis methods, such as bulk, precipitation, or solution polymerization, electrochemical polymerization offers significant advantages in terms of precision, reproducibility, and environmental sustainability, among many others. Its ability to precisely control MIP film thickness on the surface of the transducer makes it a more efficient, reliable, and facile method for fabricating electrochemical sensors. This perspective further examines the application of such sensors based on research from the past five years (2019–2024), exploring cutting-edge MIES methodologies that utilize eMIPs for the sensitive and selective detection of diverse environmental pollutants. It not only underscores electropolymerization as a superior and eco-friendly MIP synthesis technique but also addresses prevailing challenges within the field and proposes actionable solutions. By incorporating sustainable practices in the synthesis of eMIPs, electropolymerization enhances environmental monitoring and contributes to broader goals of sustainability and pollution monitoring. This perspective highlights the transformative potential of eMIPs in advancing green chemistry and environmental monitoring technologies, reaffirming their sustainability in the fabrication of MIESs and showcasing their latest practical applications in environmental monitoring.