A Versatile Fiber-Optic Fluorescence Sensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Microstructures Polymerized in Situ

Seeing molecules: A method using laser-induced photopolymerization was developed to generate highly selective fiber optic sensors in a few seconds that are based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) microtips. The fluorescence detection signal was enhanced using gold nanoparticles. The sensor also detects nonfluorescent analytes when a fluorescent signaling monomer is incorporated into the MIP.