Molecular Imprinted Sensors for Ion-Sensing

Abstract Metal ions play a pivotal role in biological process, which act as an actor to protect the stabilities of enzymes and proteins and help to carry out their functionalities with permissible limits, however, some metal ions such as cadmium, arsenic can lead to enzyme inhibition, induce the oxidative stress and unwanted conditions like the impairment of mismatch mechanism. Hence, the monitoring of metal ions including trace metals is great importance not only living beings but maintain the ecosystem also. Currently available methods for determination of metal ions include inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). While these chromatographic and analytical methods offer high sensitivity and selectivity, these costly instruments require intense technical training because of their time consuming and complicated procedures. In recent years, sensors have several advantages over other analytical methods. Sensors are more preferred compared to analytical methods and have attractive increasing attention because of their high sensitivity, low cost, fast response, portability, simple operation, and on-site operation. In this chapter, we first summarized the importance of metal ions for life-balance for biological processes, after the commonly used methods for detection of metal ions including sensor platforms were discussed with the latest research articles by the combining of molecular imprinting technology.