Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) exhibit high selectivity for detecting various analytes. However, phenolic templates hinder MIP synthesis by scavenging radicals and competing with monomers, preventing polymerization. While high template concentrations are required to create more cavities, excess phenol inhibits polymer formation. To address this, an innovative, rapid, and green strategy for MIP synthesis was proposed involving the protection of phenolic compounds with metal ions (such as Fe3+, Fe2+, Al3+, and Cu2+) during polymerization. This approach neutralizes the antioxidant activity of phenols, enabling the complete polymerization within a few minutes (5-10 min). The method was validated using diverse phenolic templates, including resorcinol, morin, gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid, estrone, tyrosine, and tetracycline, and applied to methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methyl-methacrylate, and acrylamide-based MIPs. Radical scavenging assay confirmed that complexation with metals effectively suppresses phenol inhibition activity. Furthermore, the metal-phenol complex, such as Fe3+-GA, also exhibits catalytic activity for phenolic and non-phenolic templates, accelerating radical initiation and reducing MIPs polymerization time to 10 min with high polymer quantity, compared to conventional synthesis acquired in hours (e.g., 12 h for caffeine or 2 h for sulfamethoxazole MIPs). The dual role of metal-phenol, which prevents phenolic-MIP inhibition and catalyzes polymerization, introduces a scalable, rapid, and eco-friendly catalytic strategy, thereby expanding the potential of catalysts in MIP synthesis. The GA-MIP prepared using the proposed approach showed good imprinting performance and was successfully applied in smartphone-based GA detection.

The rational design of bifunctional electrocatalysts capable of operating efficiently under both acidic and alkaline conditions remains a critical challenge for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) technologies. Herein, we report a novel, rapid, and scalable dual-laser approach for the in-situ synthesis of MoS2 nanostructures embedded within three-dimensional (3D) laser-induced graphene (LIG) frameworks for efficient HER electrocatalysis. Leveraging the complementary and synergistic capabilities of CO2 (10.6 mu m) and blue near-UV (450 nm) lasers, this method enables maskless, binder-free, and chemical-free fabrication of LIG/MoS2 hybrid electrocatalysts under ambient conditions. The CO2 laser induces rapid graphitization of polyimide sheets into a highly 3D porous and conductive graphene-like structure. The UV laser facilitates localized and gentle energy-efficient crystallization of MoS2 catalyst from Mo/S precursors, yielding a uniform, well-integrated, and cross-linked 3D nanoarray architecture. Structural, morphological, and electrochemical characterizations confirmed the synergistic effect of the dual-laser process. The optimal hybrid catalysts LIGUV-MoS2UV and LIGCO(2)-MoS2UV, exhibited outstanding HER electrocatalytic activity, achieving low overpotentials of 242 and 233 mV in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M H2SO4, respectively, at 10 mA cm(-2), along with excellent durability and reaction kinetics. This study introduces a novel, sustainable and industry-compatible platform for designing advanced multifunctional HER catalysts, advancing clean energy applications.

Epitope-imprinted polymers (EIPs) represent an advanced evolution of molecular imprinting technology for selective bacterial recognition. By using short, surface-exposed peptide fragments derived from bacterial proteins rather than whole cells or full-length proteins, EIPs enable the formation of structurally defined and chemically robust recognition cavities with improved accessibility, stability, and reproducibility. To the best of our knowledge, this review provides the first dedicated and focused overview of EIPs in bacterial detection. The fundamental principles of epitope imprinting are discussed, including rational epitope selection, computational modeling, monomer optimization, imprinting strategies (bulk, surface, nanoMIP, and electropolymerization), and template removal approaches. Representative applications targeting clinically significant pathogens such as Mycobacterium leprae, Salmonella Typhi, and Neisseria meningitidis are critically examined, highlighting analytical performance parameters including detection limits, imprinting factors, selectivity in complex biological matrices, and integration with electrochemical and piezoelectric transducers. In addition to summarizing current achievements, this review evaluates practical limitations related to epitope accessibility, matrix interference, fabrication reproducibility, scalability, and hospital-based implementation. Emerging strategies, including AI-assisted epitope design, multiepitope imprinting, nanomaterial-enhanced architectures, and portable point-of-care systems, are discussed as potential solutions to improve robustness and translational applicability. By consolidating current progress and identifying key scientific and technological gaps, this work clarifies the position of EIPs as promising synthetic recognition elements for next-generation bacterial diagnostics in clinical, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

Non-specific adsorption remains one of the main challenges limiting the specificity of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). It arises from unintended interactions between the polymer matrix and non-target molecules, often due to surface functional groups located outside cavities. Achieving high selectivity in MIPs requires both rational monomer selection and effective strategies to reduce non-specific adsorption. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to select methacrylic acid (MAA) as the optimal monomer for sulfamethoxazole (SMX), based on favorable binding energy. While DFT ensured strong monomer-template interactions, two covalent hydrophobic surface modification strategies, using octadecylamine (OD) and oleic acid (OA), were explored to reduce non-specific binding. The OD modification, which acts through the covalent coupling with the monomer functional groups, effectively reduced the non-specific binding but exhibited limited versatility, as its performance depends on the chemical functionality of the chosen monomer. In contrast, the OA modification, involving the reaction of the vinyl moiety of the monomer, present in most monomers used for radical polymerization, proved to be more general and stable, yielding the MIP@OA material with improved performance. The OA-modified MIP exhibited significantly higher selectivity and adsorption capacity toward SMX, while minimal binding was observed for NIP@OA and for structurally related analogs of SMX. A linear range between 0.1 and 5 μg mL-1, with a low detection limit of 0.03 μg mL-1, was achieved. This combined DFT-guided monomer selection and OA-based surface modification offer a robust, versatile strategy to reduce non-specific binding and create MIPs with enhanced recognition and stability.

Patients with Cystic fibrosis (CF) require frequent monitoring in evaluating lung infections, but current diagnostic approaches are invasive and resource-intensive. Ethyl acetate (EA) and pH changes in exhaled breath have emerged as promising non-invasive biomarkers. In this context, we report a smart face mask that integrates a dual-function paper-based analytical device (PAD) for sampling exhaled breath and detecting pH and EA after the mask is worn. The system combines molecularly imprinted polymers for selective EA adsorption, Candida antarctica lipase for enzymatic hydrolysis of EA into acetic acid, and an iridium oxide-modified electrode for sensitive pH monitoring. The (bio)sensing platform demonstrated high sensitivity and reproducibility across solution and aerosol, with linear ranges of pH 5.3-9 and EA concentrations from 0.01 to 2.5 mM, and a detection limit of 1.5 μM under breath-like conditions. Tests in human saliva aerosol confirmed high accuracy (89.7-106.8%recovery) and precision (<4.3% RSD), while selectivity studies showed no interference from common breath metabolites. By enabling rapid pH and EA quantification in a portable, low-cost format, this platform provides a robust and non-invasive tool for point-of-care CF diagnostics.

A rapid, green, and cost-effective strategy is proposed for the preparation of bio-based molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) by studying diverse functional biopolymers, including chitosan, sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, sulfonated cellulose nanocrystalline, cellulose acetate, and gelatin. These MIMs were tested for tetracycline and caffeic acid (Caf) templates. The MIMs were prepared in less than 2 h, without the need for complex synthesis, toxic, or expensive reagents. Furthermore, various approaches were introduced to eliminate the non-specific adsorption (NSA) for the first time, using covalent and non-covalent crosslinking. After appropriate selection of the biopolymer and crosslinker, the affinity of the non-imprinted membranes, free of cavities, toward the templates became negligible, thereby confirming the improvement in imprinting performance and the suppression of NSA. Coupling these NSA-free MIMs with smartphone colorimetric detection offers rapid, cost-effective, and on-site sensing. Sensor arrays were developed for the detection of Caf in pears, plums, and apples. The RGB spectral data was processed using machine learning. The artificial neural network model showed excellent regression performance, with high R2 (0.989–0.970) and low RMSE (0.01–0.05), confirming the strategy’s precision and the MIMs selectivity efficiency in complex matrices. This work provides a pathway to transition from conventional synthetic to sustainable artificial antibodies for an ultra-selective, green, cost-effective, and efficient future for imprinting technologies.

In this study, a novel, fast, and simple immobilization platform was developed as a proof of concept by modifying a cotton swab with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) for the covalent attachment of nucleic acid sequences. The cotton swab surface was successfully functionalized with amine groups using APTES. The capture probe was immobilized onto the amine-functionalized cellulose through glutaraldehyde cross-linking. The hybridization process between the target miRNA and the recognition probe occurred simultaneously. Part of the target miRNA bound to the recognition probe, while another fraction hybridized with the capture probe immobilized on aminated cellulose. The presence of the recognized probe was evaluated through a colorimetric reaction with Para-nitrophenylphosphate (PNPP), producing a yellow signal measurable at 405 nm. The developed colorimetric genosensor demonstrated a logarithmic detection range from 2 nM to 50 nM for miRNA-222, with a detection limit of 1.48 nM. This method was successfully evaluated using human serum sample, achieving good recoveries (99

The detection of cancer-associated nucleic acid biomarkers, including circulating tumor DNA and non-coding RNAs, remains a major analytical challenge due to their extremely low abundance in biological fluids, particularly at early disease stages. Isothermal nucleic acid amplification (INAA) has emerged as a powerful alternative to conventional PCR-based methods, enabling sensitive target amplification under constant temperature conditions while reducing instrumentation complexity. In parallel, the integration of nanomaterials into biosensing platforms has provided versatile interfaces for signal transduction, amplification, and probe immobilization. This review presents a comprehensive and structured overview of recent advances (2020–2025) in biosensing platforms combining INAA strategies with nanomaterial-enabled functionalities for cancer-related nucleic acid detection. We first examine the fundamental principles and mechanistic diversity of major INAA approaches, including enzyme-assisted (LAMP, RCA, RPA, SDA, EXPAR) and enzyme-free systems (HCR, CHA), highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. We then critically discuss their integration into biosensing architectures, emphasizing how nanomaterials enhance analytical performance through improved surface engineering, catalytic activity, and signal generation. Emerging hybrid platforms incorporating CRISPR/Cas systems, lateral flow assays, microfluidics, DNAzyme catalysis, and smartphone-assisted readouts are further analyzed, demonstrating significant progress toward highly sensitive, portable, and multiplexed diagnostic systems. Finally, current challenges related to assay robustness, standardization, and clinical translation are addressed, along with future perspectives for the development of next-generation point-of-care cancer diagnostics. This review provides a unified framework for understanding the design principles and functional integration of INAA-based biosensing platforms, offering insights to guide future innovation in ultrasensitive nucleic acid detection.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained attention as synthetic receptors for electrochemical sensing due to their mechanical and operational robustness, low cost, and tunable selectivity. Although extensively explored for small-molecule detection, their application in bacterial sensing remains limited. Whole-cell bacterial imprinting presents significant challenges arising from the large size, structural complexity, motility, and limited accessibility of surface functional groups of bacteria. These factors hinder efficient imprinting, template removal, and rebinding, often leading to poor selectivity and reproducibility. In addition, MIP films deposited on conventional electrodes, such as glassy carbon, frequently suffer from mechanical fragility, including cracking and delamination, which hampers long-term performance and point-of-care applicability. Many existing systems rely on indirect redox-probe-based detection, further complicating selectivity and reproducibility and underscoring the need for direct electrochemical readout strategies. This review critically evaluates the challenges associated with electrosynthesized MIPs for bacterial sensing, focusing on imprinting efficiency, template removal, rebinding, and electrode preparation. Future perspectives are outlined, including artificial intelligence-assisted MIP design, printed electronics, advanced electrosynthesis and template removal strategies, hybrid transduction mechanisms, and integration with smartphones and microfluidics for practical, field-deployable bacterial biosensors.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic receptors for selective molecular recognition in biosensing and separations. Yet, their efficacy is limited by conventional organic solvent-based template removal, which degrades recognition sites, reduces adsorption capacity, compromises reusability, and undermines analytical performance, while also posing environmental issues. Herein, we introduce borax as an efficient, multifunctional agent that simultaneously enables mild aqueous template removal, suppresses nonspecific adsorption, enhances optical detection, and thus improves analytical performance. Through reversible coordination between borate species and ortho-dihydroxy or polyol groups, borax provides a universal, eco-friendly, and cost-effective purification pathway, applicable to diverse templates, including dihydroxybenzenes, polyphenols, glycosides, and sugars. Physicochemical characterizations, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, demonstrate the nanoscale morphology, enhanced porosity, and preserved polymer integrity, enabling high-performance surface recognition. The resulting MIPs treated with borax demonstrate adsorption capacities exceeding 50 mg/g, imprinting factors of 67, and up to 2-fold higher selectivity compared with MIPs treated with methanol/acetic acid. Nonimprinted polymers show negligible adsorption, confirming suppressed nonspecific adsorption. The adsorption performance demonstrates rapid equilibrium within 15 min and efficient recyclability of 84% after five cycles. Besides, the MIPs were applied as sorbents in solid-phase extraction. In this system, borax acted as an efficient eluent and formed a stable boronate complex with the analyte, enabling direct UV-Vis detection at 310 nm with enhanced sensitivity compared to the noncomplexed analyte. This dual function resulted in excellent linearity (R-2 > 0.999), high recoveries (95.5-100.3%), and low detection limits (0.05-0.09 mu g/mL). Collectively, these multifunctional roles position borax as an efficient and sustainable enabler of next-generation MIPs and provide an improved benchmark for high-fidelity molecular recognition.

Electrochemical sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have attracted interest due to their high selectivity, which is achieved through cavities that complement the structure, size, and chemical functionality of the target analyte. However, functional groups located outside the imprinted sites within the polymer matrix can promote non-specific binding, which reduces the performance of the sensor. In this context, the present study aims to develop strategies to reduce non-specific adsorption phenomena in both conductive (polypyrrole and polyaniline) and non-conductive polymers (polydopamine and o-phenylenediamine), thereby enhancing the selectivity of MIP-based sensors. This approach was applied to two model analytes, tryptophan and tyramine, both of which have important biomedical relevance. Non-specific adsorption was eliminated by electrostatically immobilizing SDS on conductive polymer-based MIPs. For non-conductive MIPs, the analyte interacts with the electrode surface solely through the imprinted cavities. The lack of conductivity in the polymer allows the selectivity of the sensor to be enhanced simply by optimizing the number of scans, without polymer modification. Finally, MIP-based sensor using polyaniline polymer were applied to evaluate the analytical performance of the developed strategy, using tryptophan as a model analyte. The sensor demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.015 mu A mu M -1, a detection limit of 6.7 mu M and high selectivity in the presence of a wide range of interferents. This work demonstrates strong potential for the development of low-cost, highly selective, and environmentally friendly sensors for the detection of a wide range of analytes.

Recently, paper-based analytical devices (PADs) have gained significant interest in the fields of analytical and bioanalytical chemistry. Being able to meet the criteria for smart and sustainable analytical devices, particularly cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, fast analysis, and portability, PADs have proven valuable for point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety inspection, and illicit drug detection. The main reason for the popularity of PADs is that they are based on papers as smart solid substrates, which exhibit unique chemical and physical properties. The PADs' flexibility allows for easy sample loading and surface modifications, enabling tailored performance. Various approaches have been developed to modify the surfaces of PADs to endow them with specific properties. The overreaching goal of this review is to provide, after a brief introduction to the types, chemistry, and properties of paper, a comprehensive examination of the most successful approaches used to modify PADs with organic, inorganic, organic-inorganic hybrid, and biological materials for a variety of (bio)chemical analytes. Furthermore, it offers a deep understanding of the interface between PADs and the (nano)materials. It elucidates how incorporating different materials onto the paper substrate influences the performance and sensitivity of PADs in detecting target analytes. It discusses the sustainability criteria fulfilled during the preparation of PADs and the current challenges related to their commercialization potential. Finally, it outlines future research directions, highlighting the need to address current challenges and suggesting avenues for further advancements in the field of PADs.

Electrosynthesized Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (e-MIPs) represent a key advancement in electrochemical sensing, thanks to their remarkable selectivity, stability, and ease of fabrication through electropolymerization. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding reproducibility and electrochemical stability, which hinder their practical application. This review critically analyzes the latest developments in e-MIP-based electrochemical sensors, emphasizing their advantages and drawbacks. It discusses cutting-edge electropolymerization methods, signal amplification techniques, and the incorporation of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and wearable sensors. By thoroughly examining recent innovations, this review aims to determine whether e-MIP-based electrochemical sensors constitute a meaningful breakthrough or if existing obstacles continue to limit their wider adoption.

Molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) have attracted considerable interest in sensing applications. This study presents a novel rapid UV-assisted photopolymerization technique for synthesizing MIM using cellulose nanofibers (CNF) as the membrane matrix and isoniazid (INH) as the target analyte. The MIM was synthesized rapidly in 5 min, outpacing traditional methods in speed and efficiency. The integration of CNF endowed the membrane with outstanding stability in organic solvents, along with excellent mechanical flexibility and rigidity. These properties, combined with the superior tensile strength and structural integrity, make MIM an excellent candidate for high-performance sensing applications. The MIM was characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate its semicrystalline, thermal, structural, and mechanical properties. A rapid, simple, and highly sensitive colorimetric method for INH determination was developed utilizing 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and an alkaline phosphate buffer. The MIM exhibited a notable limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03 µg/mL and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 µg/mL, with the capability to detect trace levels of INH (0.16 ng/mL) through preconcentration using a solid-phase extraction column. The method was successfully tested in spiked river water and saliva samples, yielding excellent recovery ranging from 94.21 to 100

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a revolutionizing nanomaterial as a tunable, 3D-networked, highly conductive, which makes it a perfect platform for hosting functional nanostructures and enhancing catalytic activity. In this work, a one-step Near-UV laser-assisted graphitization of magnetic nanomaterials -Fe3Oa-LIG, Ag-Fe3Oa-LIG, and Cu-Fe3Oa-LIG- has been developed that forms a universal four-in-one nanozyme catalytic platform with peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OXD), catalase (CAT), and laccase (LAC) activities. The laser-driven process enables simultaneous graphitization, metal oxidation, and nanostructuration, offering an inexpensive, green, and scalable option for multi-step synthesis protocols. The nanozymes thus obtained were well characterized by scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) for morphology, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallinity, and Raman spectroscopy for graphitic character. An exhaustive dual characterization via optical as well as electrochemical methods was employed to assess and monitor the nanozyme material's catalytic activities. Out of all synthesised materials, Ag-Fe3Oa-LIG exhibited the highest oxidase and peroxidase mimicking activity, whereas Cu-Fe3Oa-LIG exhibited enhanced catalase and laccase-like activity. To investigate the laccase activity further, Cu-Fe3Oa-LIG was employed with phenolic compounds like dopamine, adrenaline, and L-dopa, which oxidized the substrates into aminochromes. As a proof of concept, taking advantage of the electroactivity of adrenochrome, adrenaline was sensed using a 3D porous LIG sensor. The sensor exhibited great sensitivity in the cathodic region with a linear range of 0.5-10 mu M and a detection limit of 0.23 mu M. This work creates a groundbreaking nanozyme platform with broad implications in biosensing, demonstrating the strength of laserassisted soft synthesis for future generations of enzyme-mimicking materials.

Antioxidants are vital components in various food, plant, and pharmacological products, making their quantitative, selective, and straightforward assessment essential for evaluating product quality and health benefits. Nanozymes, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with enzyme-like catalytic activity, hold significant potential for developing highly efficient antioxidant sensing platforms. This is due to their large specific surface area, low density, high porosity, structural diversity, and adjustable pore size. In this study, we synthesized a silver-based MOF exhibiting effective oxidase-like activity and modified it with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) using radical polymerization. The developed system (Ag-MOF@MIP) was successfully applied for the colorimetric detection of quercetin, achieving a limit of detection of 0.43 μM and a limit of quantification of 1 μM within a detection range of 1 to 132 μM. This combination exhibited improved selectivity and sensitivity towards quercetin and demonstrated high stability after one month of storage. This detection strategy can also be used to detect other analytes using TMB as a probe.

This study investigates the creation of an innovative, disposable, and economical electrochemical platform for the detection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone. A screen-printed electrode of reduced graphene oxide and molybdenum disulfide was used. Differential pulse voltammetry was employed for the measurements, resulting in a detection limit of 0.28 μmol L-1. The sensor was effectively utilized to evaluate surface water samples obtained from three distinct ponds in Bangkok, attaining relative recovery rates ranging from 92.2 % to 112.6 % without any sample preparation. The sensor demonstrated remarkable selectivity for ceftriaxone, despite the presence of structurally analogous antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, gentamicin, and cefalexin. The developed electrochemical sensor exhibited good sensitivity, selectivity, and practical applicability for the detection of ceftriaxone in environmental water samples.

A vital challenge in using imprinted membranes for selective sensing is their non-specific adsorption (NSA). In this study, a novel, rapid, and green approach of NSA-free molecularly imprinted membrane (MIM) preparation was proposed. Sodium alginate was employed as a functional polymer (to interact with the template) and as a membrane matrix, then cross-linked with calcium before template removal to block the unreacted groups, followed by exposure to phosphate to chelate any remaining sites. Unlike the non-imprinted membrane (NIM), which is prepared similarly to MIM and lacks the template cavities, the MIM demonstrated exceptional imprinting factor (IF) (Q(NIM) ≈ 0 mg/g) compared to the initial IF of around 4 before NSA suppress, and a selectivity factor over 10 times greater than that of existing MIMs in the literature. The NSA-free MIM was used as a ready-to-use sensor for spectro-fluorescence and smartphone-based fluorescence detection of tetracycline (TC), achieving detection limits of 0.005 mg/L and 0.015 mg/L, respectively, which were below the maximal acceptable concentrations of TC in real samples. The detection of TC in milk and honey samples using the NSA-free MIM showed significant recoveries (86–101

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), commonly known as ‘Red Gold’ is highly prized for its medicinal properties but is labor-intensive, requiring meticulous hand-harvesting, and is vulnerable to adulteration. Additionally, its price varies considerably depending on its origin, underscoring the need for robust surveillance to ensure authenticity. However, traditional methods for origin authentication are often complex and costly, posing challenges, especially for small cooperatives that have a major role in saffron distribution. This study presents an innovative approach to saffron provenance using digital imaging as an alternative on-site method. 118 saffron samples from Morocco (Taroudant, Ouarzazate, and Azilal), Afghanistan, Iran, Spain, and Tunisia were analyzed. Digital images were taken with a smartphone, and various color spaces were evaluated by the open-source software ImageJ, including RGB (Red-Green-Blue), HSB (Hue-Saturation-Brightness), LAB (Lightness-Green to Red-Blue to Yellow), and YUV (Luminance and Chrominance components), resulting in 2,712 variables per saffron sample. The collected data were then analyzed by chemometric tools. Principal component analysis showed strong separation and sample grouping, enabling effective screening of saffron origin based on the calculated image parameters, with the first three principal components explaining a significant variance (70–92