Molecularly imprinted photonic polymer

Another nice example of nanostructuring an MIP layer is the work published by Wu et al. [138, 139] who developed a label-free optical sensor based on molecularly imprinted photonic polymers. Photonic crystals were prepared by self-assembly of silica nanospheres. The space between the spheres was then filled with MIP precursor solution. After polymerization, the silica was dissolved, leaving an MIP in the form of a 3D-ordered interconnected macroporous inverse polymer opal (Fig. 15). The authors were able to detect traces of the herbicide atrazine at low concentrations in aqueous solution [139]. Analyte adsorption into the binding sites resulted in a change in Bragg diffraction of the polymer characterized by a color modification (Fig. 15). 

Fig. 38 (a) Schematic illustration of the procedure used fm the preparation of the molecularly imprinted photonic polymer (MIPP). (b) Color change induced by exposure to atrazine at different concentrations. Reproduced with permission from [116]... 

Wu Z, Ca T, Lin C, Shen D, Li G (2008) Label-free colOTimetric detection of trace atrazine in aqueous solution by using molecularly imprinted photonic polymers. Chem A Eur J 14 11358... 

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