Challenges of molecularly imprinted polymers in impacting environmental monitoring and remediation

Global concerns about environmental pollution have driven scientists to develop cutting-edge technologies for identification, determination, and remediation. There is a critical need for versatile materials that can sensitively and selectively recognize/degrade these pollutants in complex matrices. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can recognize a wide range of target pollutants, making them attractive for use in remediation technologies. However, several technical challenges hinder the effectiveness of MIP-based remediation and environmental protection when practically implemented. This review combines over a decade of practical experience in the synthesis and application of MIPs, to highlight pitfalls and offer insight, solutions and guidance on solving the challenges that need to be overcome for MIPs to deliver enabling solutions for environmental scientists. We highlight molecular imprinting in environmental remediation and monitoring in four separate sections, including pollutant removal, catalytic degradation, sample preparation, and sensing, and propose specific technical challenges to inspire further advances in the field.