Carbon Electrode Modified with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Development of Electrochemical Sensor: Application to Pharmacy, Food Safety, Environmental Monitoring, and Biomedical Analysis

Abstract

This review aims to elucidate recent developments in electrochemical sensors that use functionalized carbon electrodes with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the selective detection of organic compounds in diverse fields including pharmacy, food safety, environmental monitoring of pollutants, and biomedical analysis. The main targets include explosive compounds, dyes, antioxidants, disease biomarkers, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, allergens, pesticides, and viruses. Following a brief overview of the molecular imprinting principle, the most significant applications are explored. The selection of the functional monomer is subsequently discussed. Notably, various types of carbon electrodes are presented, with a particular emphasis on screen-printed carbon electrodes. The most commonly employed techniques for MIP deposition such as electropolymerization, drop casting, and chemical grafting are introduced and discussed. Electrochemical transduction techniques like cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are presented. Lastly, the review concludes by examining potential future directions and primary limitations concerning carbon electrodes modified with MIPs.