Preparation of Electrodes by Molecular Imprinting Technique for Pesticide Detection

ABSTRACT Pesticides, vital for agricultural productivity, also present health risks due to residues in food and water. Therefore, the development of economical, efficient, reliable, and easy‐to‐operate pesticide detection technologies is of utmost importance. The synergistic effect of the molecular imprinting technique (MIT) and the electrochemical sensor has attracted wide attention in the field of detection. This review begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of MIT, including its preparation process and emerging imprinting methods. The detailed preparation process of molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors is then discussed, encompassing the selection of template molecules, functional monomers, and so on. Additionally, the review explores the modification methods of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and the role of electrode modification materials in enhancing sensor performance. The text lists the detection performance of various molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors for different pesticides, providing a reference for researchers. Finally, this article discusses the green development of molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors and anticipates their application prospects in pesticide detection. It also identifies current challenges and suggests potential avenues for advancement.