A critical evaluation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) coatings in solid phase microextraction devices

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are attractive coating materials for solid phase microextraction (SPME) due to their selectivity, ease of preparation, and robustness. In this review, MIP-SPME devices for sample preparation in environmental, food, and biological analyses are evaluated. Recent advances in fabrication for various MIP-SPME device geometries, specifically coated fiber, monolithic fiber, stir bar, and thin films, are highlighted accompanied by a critical assessment of their performance. This review encompasses devices based on MIP particles applied in a host polymer and monolithic MIP coatings. For each type of device, fabrication conditions and polymer composition are presented along with analytical performance and assessment of MIP selectivity. [Display omitted] •Molecularly imprinted polymers for solid phase microextraction are reviewed.•Fabrication of various geometries of MIP-SPME are presented.•The selectivity criterium for MIP-SPME devices are presented.•The success of the imprinting process in MIP-SPME coatings is assessed.•Applications of MIP-SPME devices for the analysis of real samples are summarized.