Nanomaterial-based optical chemical sensors for the detection of heavy metals in water: Recent advances and challenges

Nisar Ullah*, Muhammad Mansha, Ibrahim Khan, Ahsanulhaq Qurashi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

229 Scopus citations

Abstract

The anthropogenic release of heavy metals into the natural water has become a global epidemic. Heavy metal contamination poses serious threats to human health and the environment. Therefore, the development of sensors for monitoring of these toxic metals in different matrices, especially in water, is very important. As a powerful analytical tool, nanomaterial-based chemical sensors have been extensively employed for the detection of heavy metals. These nanosensors offer several advantages including high sensitivity, selectivity, portability, on-site detection ability and improved performance of devices. Moreover, the deployment of molecular recognition probe on the nanostructures for the selective binding have enhanced the selectivity and detection ability. In this review, we critically engross on the recent progress in the design of nanomaterial-based sensors for the detection of heavy metals using various sensing strategies. The optical sensors focused and discussed in the review include fluorescent, surface enhanced Raman scattering and surface plasmon resonance sensors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)155-166
Number of pages12
JournalTrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry
Volume100
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Chemical sensor
  • Heavy metal
  • Nanomaterial
  • Optical sensor
  • Surface plasmon resonance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

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