MXene–molecularly imprinted polymer electrochemical sensors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• MXene–MIP hybrids enable highly selective and conductive electrochemical sensors • Meta-analysis confirms sub-nanomolar sensitivity (average LOD: 2.35 × 10⁻¹⁰ M) • Sensor performance is strongly governed by analyte class and interfacial design • Biological targets exhibit markedly lower detection limits than other analytes MXene–molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) hybrid materials have emerged as a powerful class of electrochemical sensing platforms, combining the high conductivity and surface tunability of MXenes with the molecular selectivity of imprinted polymers. Beyond their analytical performance, the significance of MXene–MIP hybrids lies in their ability to bridge a critical gap between highly selective molecular recognition and next-generation electrochemical transduction. As a result, MXene–MIP platforms offer a versatile framework for designing robust, low-cost, and miniaturizable sensors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of MXene–MIP electrochemical sensors reported to date, with particular emphasis on synthesis strategies, interfacial engineering, and analytical applications spanning biological, food, and environmental targets. Common fabrication routes including in situ polymerization, electropolymerization, and surface-grafting approaches are critically discussed in the context of MXene surface chemistry and imprinting fidelity. Beyond qualitative comparison, a systematic meta-analysis of published analytical performance data was performed to quantitatively evaluate analytical sensitivity, reproducibility, and design-dependent performance trends across literature. Pooled random-effects modeling reveals that MXene–MIP sensors achieve an average limit of detection of 2.35 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol·L⁻¹, confirming their ability to deliver sub-nanomolar sensitivity. However, very high inter-study heterogeneity highlights the strong influence of analyte chemistry, fabrication strategy, and interfacial design. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses identify analyte class as the primary determinant of sensitivity, with biological targets exhibiting detection limits approximately two orders of magnitude lower than those for food and environmental contaminants. Collectively, this review establishes MXene–MIP electrochemical sensors as highly sensitive yet strongly tunable systems, underscores current challenges in standardization and transferability, and outlines key directions for advancing these hybrids toward reliable, application-oriented sensing technologies.