Molecularly imprinted polymers based materials and their applications in chromatographic and electrophoretic separations

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) possess selectivity toward template molecules and their structural analogues. Depending on the preparation approach (bulk polymerization, emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, etc.), essential elements (target compounds or template molecules, porogenic solvents, functional monomers, cross-linking agents and initiators) for MIPs synthesis and intended applications, various formats of MIPs having different morphologies and traits (monolithic, microbeads, thin film), can be easily obtained. Ameliorating the recognition selectivity and detection sensitivity of chromatographic techniques by using MIPs based stationary phases (SPs) is an influential and extensively developed strategy. Here, the recent progress in the design of MIPs based SPs is highlighted. The essential elements in preparation of MIPs based SPs are stated. The representative characterizations and applications of MIPs based SPs for chromatographic separation of pharmaceutical compounds, environmental pollutants and some compounds are outlined. Finally, the deficiencies and future perspectives of MIPs based SPs are discussed.