Sensors for the environmental pollutant detection: Are we already there?

Abstract

Sensors integrating chemical, biological, materials, electronics sciences, and etc., are considered as a promising technology that can bring great convenience and change to the world. Pollutant detection is one of the significant missions of sensors in the background of serious global environmental problems. As an accurate, selective, simple and inexpensive detection method, sensors are very suitable for environmental detection. Environmental samples, however, are very complex and unexpectedly relative to other ecosystems, which makes sensors a long way to go in practical application. Thus far, sensors have been developed with greater sensitivity, simpler and more efficient detection, better environmental adaptation, and etc. for pollutants detection. This review critically and comprehensively highlights the sensing strategies, and points the way of sensor development in environmental application. The sensitive and efficient, simple and miniaturized, low-cost, in-situ sensor strategies are comparatively reviewed in consideration of sensor development in pollutants detection.