Abstract
The detection of explosives is highly important for the investigation of explosion cases and public safety management. However, the detection of trace explosive residues in complex matrices remains a major challenge. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which mimic the antigen-antibody recognition mechanism, can selectively recognize and bind target explosive molecules. They offer advantages such as high efficiency, specificity, renewability, and ease of preparation, and they have shown significant potential for the efficient extraction and highly sensitive detection of trace explosive residues in complex matrices. This review comprehensively discusses the applications of MIPs in the analysis of explosives; systematically summarizes the preparation methods; and evaluates their performance in detecting nitroaromatic explosives, nitrate esters, nitroamine explosives, and peroxide explosives. Finally, this review explores the future potential of emerging technologies in enhancing the MIP-based analysis of explosives. The aim is to support the further application of MIPs in the investigation of explosion cases and safety management, providing more effective technical solutions for public safety.