Gold nanoparticle mediated designing of non-hydrolytic sol–gel cross-linked metformin imprinted polymer network: A theoretical and experimental study

Rational In Silico Design of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Current Challenges and Future Potential

The rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers has evolved along with state-of-the-art experimental imprinting strategies taking advantage of sophisticated computational tools. In silico methods enable the screening and simulation of innovative polymerization components and conditions superseding conventional formulations. The combined use of quantum mechanics, molecular mechanics, and molecular dynamics strategies allows for macromolecular modelling to study the systematic translation from the pre- to the post-polymerization stage. However, predictive design and high-performance computing to advance MIP development are neither fully explored nor practiced comprehensively on a routine basis to date. In this review, we focus on different steps along the molecular imprinting process and discuss appropriate computational methods that may assist in optimizing the associated experimental strategies. We discuss the potential, challenges, and limitations of computational approaches including ML/AI and present perspectives that may guide next-generation rational MIP design for accelerating the discovery of innovative molecularly templated materials.

Molecularly Imprinted Solid Phase Extraction Strategy for Quinic Acid

Quinic acid (QA) and its ester conjugates have been subjected to in-depth scientific investigations for their antioxidant properties. In this study, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were used for selective extraction of quinic acid (QA) from coffee bean extract. Computational modelling was performed to optimize the process of MIP preparation. Three different functional monomers (allylamine, methacrylic acid (MAA) and 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP)) were tested for imprinting. The ratio of each monomer to template chosen was based on the optimum ratio obtained from computational studies. Equilibrium rebinding studies were conducted and MIP C, which was prepared using 4-VP as functional monomer with template to monomer ratio of 1:5, showed better binding performance than the other prepared MIPs. Accordingly, MIP C was chosen to be applied for selective separation of QA using solid-phase extraction. The selectivity of MIP C towards QA was tested versus its analogues found in coffee (caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid). Molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) using MIP C as sorbent was then applied for selective extraction of QA from aqueous coffee extract. The applied MISPE was able to retrieve 81.918 ± 3.027% of QA with a significant reduction in the amount of other components in the extract.

The Use of Computational Methods for the Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of theoretical and computational approaches in the study and development of molecular imprinting systems. These tools are being used to either improve understanding of the mechanisms underlying the function of molecular imprinting systems or for the design of new systems. Here, we present an overview of the literature describing the application of theoretical and computational techniques to the different stages of the molecular imprinting process (pre-polymerization mixture, polymerization process and ligand-molecularly imprinted polymer rebinding), along with an analysis of trends within and the current status of this aspect of the molecular imprinting field.

Isolation of sinapic acid from broccoli using molecularly imprinted polymers

A molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized for the purpose of sinapic acid isolation from Egyptian nutraceutical Botrytis italica, L. (broccoli) due to its prominent medicinal and wide pharmacological activities. A computational study was first developed to determine the optimal template to functional monomer molar ratio. Based on the computational results, five polymers were synthesized using a bulk polymerization method with sinapic acid as the template molecule. Evaluation of the synthesized polymers binding performance was carried out using batch rebinding assay, which revealed that the molecularly imprinted polymer of molar ratio (1:4:20), template to functional monomer (4-vinyl pyridine) to crosslinker (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) was of optimum performance, thus, this polymer was applied for sinapic acid isolation from closely related analogues. This represents a more practical approach to isolate sinapic acid from different natural extracts selectively.

Experimental validation of a computationally-designed tiotropium membrane sensor

This work draws an analogy between theoretical and practical data for innocuous potentiometric sensor optimization.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Extraction of Oblongifolin C from Garcinia yunnanensis Hu

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized and applied for the selective extraction of oblongifolin C (OC) from fruit extracts of Garcinia yunnanensis Hu. A series of experiments and computational approaches were employed to improve the efficiency of screening for optimal MIP systems in the study. The molar ratio (1:4) was eventually chosen based on the comparison of the binding energy of the complexes between the template (OC) and the functional monomers using density functional theory (DFT) at the RI-PBE-D3-gCP/def2-TZVP level of theory. The binding characterization and the molecular recognition mechanism of MIPs were further explained using the molecular modeling method along with NMR and IR spectra data. The reusability of this approach was demonstrated in over 20 batch rebinding experiments. A mass of 140.5 mg of OC (>95% purity) was obtained from the 5 g extracts, with 2 g of MIPs with the best binding properties, through a gradient elution program from 35% to 70% methanol-water solution. At the same time, another structural analog, 46.5 mg of guttiferone K (GK) (>88% purity), was also obtained by the gradient elution procedure. Our results showed that the structural analogs could be separated from the crude extracts by the molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) using a gradient elution procedure for the first time.

Nanocomposite of bimetallic nanodendrite and reduced graphene oxide as a novel platform for molecular imprinting technology

In this present work, for the first time, we are reporting a green synthesis approach for the preparation of vinyl modified reduced graphene oxide-based magnetic and bimetallic (Fe/Ag) nanodendrite (RGO@BMNDs). Herein, the RGO@BMNDs acts as a platform for the synthesis of the pyrazinamide (PZA)-imprinted polymer matrix and used for designing of the electrochemical sensor. We have demonstrated how the change in morphology could affect the electrochemical and magnetic property of nanomaterials and for this the reduced graphene oxide-based bimetallic nanoparticle (Fe/Ag) was also prepared It was found that the combination of graphene and bimetallic nanodendrites shows improvement as well as enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity and adsorption capacity, in comparison to their respective nanoparticles. The application of imprinted-RGO@BMNDs sensor was explored for trace level detection of PZA (Limit of detection = 6.65 pg L(-1), S/N = 3), which is a drug used for the cure of Tuberculosis. This is lowest detection limit reported so far for the detection of PZA. The sensor is highly selective, cost-effective, simple and free from any interfering effect. The real time application of the sensor was explored by successful detection of PZA in pharmaceutical and human blood serum, plasma and urine samples.

2-Dimensional graphene as a route for emergence of additional dimension nanomaterials

Dimension has a different and impactful significance in the field of innovation, research and technologies. Starting from one-dimension, now, we all are moving towards 3-D visuals and try to do the things in this dimension. However, we still have some very innovative and widely applicable nanomaterials, which have tremendous potential in the form of 2-D only i.e. graphene. In this review, we have tried to incorporate the reported pathways used so far for modification of 2-D graphene sheets to make is three-dimensional. The modified graphene been applied in many fields like supercapacitors, sensors, catalysis, energy storage devices and many more. In addition, we have also incorporated the conversion of 2-D graphene to their various other dimensions like zero-, one- or three-dimensional nanostructures.

Introduction of selectivity and specificity to graphene using an inimitable combination of molecular imprinting and nanotechnology

Recently, the nanostructured modified molecularly imprinting polymer has created a great attention in research field due to its excellent properties such as high surface to volume ratio, low cost, and easy preparation/handling. Among the nanostructured materials, the carbonaceous material such as 'graphene' has attracted the tremendous attention of researchers owing to their fascinating electrical, thermal and physical properties. In this review article, we have tried to explore as well as compile the role of graphene-based nanomaterials in the fabrication of imprinted polymers. In other words, herein the recent efforts made to introduce selectivity in graphene-based nanomaterials were tried collected together. The major concern of this review article is focused on the sensing devices fabricated via a combination of graphene, graphene@nanoparticles, graphene@carbon nanotubes and molecularly imprinted polymers. Additionally, the combination of graphene and quantum dots was also included to explore the fluorescence properties of zero-band-gap graphene.

Preparation and application of molecularly imprinted polymer for isolation of chicoric acid from Chicorium intybus L. medicinal plant

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized and applied for the extraction of chicoric acid from Chicory herb (Chicorium intybus L.). A computational study was developed to find a suitable template to functional monomer molar ratio for MIP preparations. The molar ratio was chosen based on the comparison of the binding energy of the complexes between the template and functional monomers. Based on the computational results, eight different polymers were prepared using chicoric acid as the template. The MIPs were synthesized in a non-covalent approach via thermal free-radical polymerization, using two different polymerization methods, bulk and suspension. Batch rebinding experiments were performed to evaluate the binding properties of the imprinted polymers. The best results were obtained with a MIP prepared using bulk polymerization with 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the crosslinker with a molar ratio of 1:4:20. The best MIP showed selective binding ability toward chicoric acid in the presence of the template's structural analogues, caffeic acid, caftaric acid and chlorogenic acid.