Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-Based sensing for detection of explosives: Current perspectives and future applications

Considering the global terrorist activities that have increased in the last decade, it is evident that the importance of explosives has increased significantly. For this reason, it is imperative and vital to detect explosive residues rapidly, reliably, and accurately. Recently, various methods have been widely used for the detection of explosives. While these techniques have their respective advantages, many have a significant problem with selectivity. As a result, many researchers turn to time-consuming, expensive, and multi-step solutions to solve this problem. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can often provide excellent sensitivity and selectivity for the sensing of explosives. Considering the advantages of MIPs in sensing methods, advances in the development of explosive monitoring based on MIPs sensors were investigated in this review. Over the last ten years, we primarily focused on electrochemical, fluorescence, and chemiluminescence sensing based on MIPs in explosive analysis. In addition, brief information is given about which types of explosives were detected. • Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can often provide excellent sensitivity and selectivity for the sensing of explosives. • MIP-based detection will increase selectivity and sensitivity in explosive residue analysis.