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Innovations in Environmental Analytical Chemistry: Transition from Conventional Techniques to Nano-enabled Sensing Technologies
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This review paper looks at how tiny nanomaterials (like gold nanoparticles and graphene) are being used to build super-sensitive sensors that can detect harmful pollutants—including heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS "forever chemicals," and microplastics—faster and cheaper than older lab-based methods. This matters because these new sensors could allow real-time, on-the-spot testing of water, food, and air, helping catch contamination before it harms people, rather than waiting days or weeks for traditional lab results. The authors note there are still challenges to work out, like making sure these sensors are stable, accurate in real-
Environmental contamination from heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastics poses grave risks to human health and ecosystems. Classical analytical methods, including flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), offer high accuracy but are constrained by high cost, laboratory dependence, lengthy sample preparation, and limited real-time capability. The emergence of nanotechnology has revolutionised environmental analytical chemistry by enabling sensors with detection limits several orders of magnitude below regulatory thresholds, rapid response times, and field-deployable formats. This review critically examines the transition from conventional environmental monitoring platforms to nano-enabled sensing technologies, with emphasis on gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, quantum dots, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and molecularly imprinted nanoparticles. Electrochemical, optical, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) transduction principles are discussed, with a comparison of analytical performance metrics from peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025. Challenges, including nanomaterial stability, matrix interferences, regulatory acceptance, and environmental safety of the sensors themselves, are critically evaluated. Future directions towards integrated lab-on-chip platforms, artificial intelligence-assisted signal processing, and wearable environmental monitors are highlighted. The review concludes that nano-enabled sensing technologies are poised to become the gold standard for real-time, on-site environmental quality assessment.
More Papers Like This
Innovations in Environmental Analytical Chemistry: Transition from Conventional Techniques to Nano-enabled Sensing Technologies
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This review rounds up recent research on tiny "nanosensor" tools that can detect harmful pollutants—like heavy metals, pesticides, drug residues, PFAS ("forever chemicals"), and microplastics—in water, soil, or air much faster and cheaper than traditional lab testing. Because these sensors can be used on-site instead of requiring samples to be shipped to a lab, they could make it much easier to catch contamination early, before it builds up in our food and water supplies and affects our health. The technology is promising but still developing, with challenges around reliability and safety that need to be worked out before widespread use.
Graphene and gold nanoparticle-based bionanocomposite for the voltammetric determination of bisphenol A in (micro)plastics
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Researchers developed a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor using graphene and gold nanoparticles to detect bisphenol A leaching from plastics and microplastics in water. The sensor achieved very low detection limits and worked reliably in real water samples. This tool could help environmental scientists and regulators better monitor harmful chemical release from plastic pollution in freshwater and marine environments.
Recent Advances in Nanomaterial-Based and Colorimetric Technologies for Detecting Illicit Drugs and Environmental Toxins
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This review examines recent advances in nanomaterial-based sensor technologies for detecting both illicit drugs and environmental contaminants including micro- and nanoplastics. The study highlights emerging platforms using nanoparticles, graphene, and metal-organic frameworks that enable rapid, portable detection with high sensitivity, though challenges remain regarding accuracy and performance under diverse field conditions.
MOFs and nanozymes in electrochemical environmental (bio)sensing: recent advances and field translation
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This research review summarizes new advances in portable sensors that can quickly detect dangerous chemicals in our environment, including "forever chemicals" (PFAS), heavy metals, antibiotics, and microplastics. Scientists are combining special porous materials with artificial enzymes to create handheld devices that work like mini labs, allowing us to test water and soil contamination on-the-spot instead of waiting for expensive laboratory results. These breakthrough sensors could help communities quickly identify health threats in their drinking water and environment before people get sick.
Electrochemical detection of phenolic nanoplastic water pollutants using graphene/ceria nanocomposite
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Scientists have developed a highly sensitive sensor made from graphene and cerium oxide nanoparticles that can detect two toxic chemicals, hydroquinone and catechol, commonly released as plastic breaks down in water. This matters because these chemicals are linked to harmful health effects, and the new sensor worked accurately even in real tap, lake, and river water samples, offering a practical tool for monitoring plastic pollution in our water supply.
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