Mukendi Mbuyamba Divin, Salami Oluseyi Sikiru, Mketo Nomvano
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), University of South Africa, The Science Campus, Florida Park, Corner Christian de Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida 1709, South Africa.
Micromachines (Basel). 2025 Feb 23;16(3):251. doi: 10.3390/mi16030251.
Molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors (MI-ECSs) are a significant advancement in analytical techniques, especially for water quality monitoring (WQM). These sensors utilize molecular imprinting to create polymer matrices that exhibit high specificity and affinity for target analytes. MI-ECSs integrate molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with electrochemical transducers (ECTs), enabling the selective recognition and quantification of contaminants. Their design features template-shaped cavities in the polymer that mimic the functional groups, shapes, and sizes of target analytes, resulting in enhanced binding interactions and improved sensor performance in complex water environments. The fabrication of MI-ECSs involves selecting suitable monomeric units (monomers) and crosslinkers, using a target analyte as a template, polymerizing, and then removing the template to expose the imprinted sites. Advanced methodologies, such as electropolymerization and surface imprinting, are used to enhance their sensitivity and reproducibility. MI-ECSs offer considerable benefits, including high selectivity, low detection limits, rapid response times, and the potential for miniaturization and portability. They effectively assess and detect contaminants, like (toxic) heavy metals (HMs), pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and pathogens, in water systems. Their ability for real-time monitoring makes them essential for ensuring water safety and adhering to regulations. This paper reviews the architecture, principles, and fabrication processes of MI-ECSs as innovative strategies in WQM and their application in detecting emerging contaminants and toxicants (ECs and Ts) across various matrices. These ECs and Ts include organic, inorganic, and biological contaminants, which are mainly anthropogenic in origin and have the potential to pollute water systems. Regarding this, ongoing advancements in MI-ECS technology are expected to further enhance the analytical capabilities and performances of MI-ECSs to broaden their applications in real-time WQM and environmental monitoring.
分子印迹电化学传感器（MI-ECS）是分析技术的一项重大进步，尤其在水质监测（WQM）方面。这些传感器利用分子印迹技术创建对目标分析物具有高特异性和亲和力的聚合物基质。MI-ECS将分子印迹聚合物（MIP）与电化学换能器（ECT）集成在一起，能够对污染物进行选择性识别和定量分析。其设计特点是在聚合物中形成模板形状的空腔，模拟目标分析物的官能团、形状和大小，从而在复杂水环境中增强结合相互作用并提高传感器性能。MI-ECS的制备包括选择合适的单体单元（单体）和交联剂，以目标分析物为模板进行聚合，然后去除模板以暴露印迹位点。采用电聚合和表面印迹等先进方法来提高其灵敏度和重现性。MI-ECS具有诸多优点，包括高选择性、低检测限、快速响应时间以及小型化和便携化的潜力。它们能有效评估和检测水系统中的污染物，如（有毒）重金属（HM）、农药、药物和病原体。其实时监测能力使其对于确保水安全和遵守法规至关重要。本文综述了MI-ECS作为WQM创新策略的结构、原理和制备过程，以及它们在检测各种基质中新兴污染物和有毒物质（EC和T）方面的应用。这些EC和T包括有机、无机和生物污染物，它们主要源于人为活动，有可能污染水系统。鉴于此，预计MI-ECS技术的持续进步将进一步提高MI-ECS的分析能力和性能，以拓宽其在实时WQM和环境监测中的应用。
