Electrochemical readout of molecularly imprinted polymers: potentials and challenges

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are one of the most frequently studied alternative recognition elements in chromatography and sensorics. They are prepared by polymerizing the target analyte (socalled template) and functional monomers (in the presence or absence of cross-linkers). Subsequent removal of the template from the polymer network results in the formation of cavities with a molecular memory, which is complementary in size, shape and functionality to the template.