Studies on the rapid detection of heavy metals in environment based on functionalized nanomaterials

Abstract

Heavy metal contaminants are harmful to both ecological systems and human health, so it is important and urgent to establish sensitive, fast and efficient methods for detecting heavy metals. The current detection techniques were established on the basis of large instruments, but the requirements on the detection conditions, time and cost are higher. So it is difficult to meet the needs of heavy metal detection. The rapid development of nanomaterials provides a good theoretical and technical support to solve the problem of heavy metal detection. Highly sensitive, high through put and rapid detection methods have been developed with the combination of functional nanomaterials and the traditional detection. This paper mainly summarizes the different types of materials for specific/selective recognition of heavy metals as well as the progress of application of several types of nanomaterials used in heavy metal detection in recent years. These nanomaterials include gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, fluorescent semiconductor quantum dots and carbon materials. Based on the unique and excellent properties, functional nanomaterials might have a great potential in the field of heavy metal detection.