Abstract
This article discusses the unique properties and performance of carbon-based molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) for detecting hazardous pollutants in aqueous solutions. Although MIPs have several advantages such as specific recognition sites, selectivity, and stability, they suffer from a series of drawbacks, including loss of conductivity, electrocatalytic activity, and cost, which limit their use in various fields. Carbon-based MIPs, which utilize carbon electrodes, carbon nanoparticles, carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, and graphene substrates, have been the focus of research in recent years to enhance their properties and remove their weaknesses as much as possible. These carbon-based nanomaterials have excellent sensitivity and specificity for molecular identification. As a result, they have been widely used in various applications, such as assessing the environmental, biological, and food samples. This article examines the growth of carbon-based MIPs and their environmental applications.
•MIP based sensors can be successfully used for environmental pollutants.•MIPs can be synthesized using three strategies: non-covalent, covalent, semi-covalent.•The type of crosslinker is crucial as it determines polymer's morphology and mechanical stability.•Incorporation of carbon nanotubes with polymers leads to efficient electrochemical sensors.•Graphene-based films can improve the efficiency of electrochemical sensors.