Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensors for Environmental Analysis

The detection and monitoring of environmental pollutants are one of the most challenging topics in the area of Analytical Chemistry. Chemical sensors can combine selective analyte retention and detection in the same device as an interesting alternative to conventional chromatographic extraction/separation methodologies. However, in general, the lack of selectivity is one of the biggest disadvantages of sensors. One of the most innovative solutions to this problem is based on the development of molecularly imprinted sensors. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic receptors that are prepared in the presence of the target analyte (template) forming 3D cavities with a specific shape, size, and functionality. Therefore, the MIPs enhance the selectivity of the chemical sensors allowing the sensitive discrimination and determination of target compounds even in complex samples such as environmental media. In this context, this chapter aims to highlight and discuss the most relevant and recent applications of molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensors for environmental analyses. Taking into account a large number of references on this topic, it has been mainly limited to the last 5 years.