Rationally engineered nanosensors: A novel strategy for the detection of heavy metal ions in the environment

Heavy metal ions (HMIs) have been mainly originated from natural and anthropogenic agents. It has become one of biggest societal issues due to their recognised accumulative and toxic effects in the environment as well as biological media. Key measures are required to reduce the risks posed by toxic metal pollutants existing in the environment. The increased research activities of HMIs detection, and use of technologies based on electrochemical detection that combine with engineered nanomaterials, is a key promising and innovative strategy that can potentially confine heavy metal poisoning. Deep understanding of the characteristics of the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials is highly required. It is also important to interpret the parameters at the nano-bio interface level that merely affect cross-interactions between nanomaterials and HMIs. Therefore, the authors outlined the state-of-the-art techniques that used engineeringly developed nanomaterials to detect HMIs in the environment. The possible novel applications of extensive and relatively low-cost HMIs monitoring and detection are discussed on the basis of these strengths. Finally, it is concluded by providing gist on acquaintance with facts in the present-day scenario along with highlighting areas to explore the strategies to overcome the current limitations for practical applications is useful in further generations of nano-world.