This chapter focuses on recent developments in the construction of optical sensors based on
intelligent molecularly imprinted nanomaterials. The first two parts review the general principles in the
development of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based optical sensors. Four different ways to
transform the binding events into measurable optical signals are discussed. In the third part, nanosized
MIP materials are classified as nanoparticles (including core-shell nanoparticles), nanofibres/nanowires/
nanotubes and nanofilms. The principle, analytical properties and applications of recently reported
optical sensors based on above three different nano-MIP formats are all reviewed in detail. Finally,
some of the remaining unsolved issues to the nano-MIP-based optical sensors are briefly discussed for
further development of the field.
Keywords: Optical biosensors; molecular imprinting; nanosized MIP materials.
