Molecularly imprinted thin film surfaces in sensing: Chances and challenges

摘要

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) claim the potential of replacing biological recognition species, such as antibodies, in sensing. This perspective gives a short overview over current techniques for generating surface imprints in polymers, mainly for bioanalytes. It covers both free radical and controlled radical polymerizations that have been the starting point of research in the field. In the course of time, it has become evident that the quality of surface MIP in general increases when growing the polymer in situ from the respective device surface. This has extended the interest for thin film synthesis to electropolymerizable systems, because they allow for controlling deposition in a comparably precise manner. To increase binding capacities and selectivity, postpolymerization modification of systems has also become a focus of interest. Despite highly appreciable success and substantial progress, questions on reproducibility and potential for mass production still remain open.