Carbon nanomaterials integrated molecularly imprinted polymers for biological sample analysis: A critical review

Abstract Herein, the current review deals with the distinctive properties of carbon-based molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and their applications towards the diversified biological analysis that includes micro to macromolecules. Apart from several advantages like specific recognition site, selectivity, and stability, MIPs also have some disadvantages such as loss of conductivity, electro-catalytic activity and expensiveness, which restrict their application in different fields. To improve their analytical presentation and overcome their disadvantages, researches shifted towards carbon-based MIPs using carbon nanotubes, carbon dots, carbon nanoparticles, carbon electrodes, and graphene as a substrate. These carbon-based nanomaterials have high selectivity and specificity towards molecular identification and have been used in diverse applications including environmental, biological and food sample analysis. This review covers the development of carbon-based MIPs and its biological applications.