A　convenient　imprinting　method　for　the　preparation　of　molecularly　imprinted　polymers　(MIPs)　layer　on　the　surface　of　multiwalled　carbon　nanotubes　(MWCNTs)　is　described.　In　this　method,　9-vinylanthracene　was　introduced　to　the　surface　of　MWCNTs,　forming　vinyl　group　functionalized　MWCNTs.　Then　the　grafting　copolymerization　of　methacrylic　acid　and　trimethylolpropane　trimethacrylate　in　the　presence　of　theophylline　as　template　molecular　led　to　the　formation　of　MIPs-MWCNTs　composite.　The　formation　of　continuous　and　nanoscale　MIPs　layer　(thickness　about　10-15　nm)　would　be　due　to　the　homogeneous　and　high-density　vinyl　groups　on　the　surface　of　MWCNTs.　The　resulting　surface-imprinted　MWCNTs　composite　showed　high　binding　capacity　and　good　specific　recognition　behaviour　towards　template　molecule.　(C)　2012　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.