A Review of Nanotechnology-Enabled Fluorescent Chemosensors for Environmental Toxic Ion Detection

This review examines the utilization of nanotechnology-based chemosensors for identifying environmental toxic ions. Over recent decades, the creation of nanoscale materials for applications in chemical sensing, biomedical, and biological analyses has emerged as a promising avenue. Nanomaterials play a vital role in improving the sensitivity and selectivity of chemosensors, thereby making them effective tools for monitoring and evaluating environmental contamination. This is due to their highly adjustable size- and shape-dependent chemical and physical properties. Nanomaterials possess distinct surface chemistry, thermal stability, high surface area, and large pore volume per unit mass, which can be harnessed for sensor development. The discussion encompasses different types of nanomaterials utilized in chemosensor design, LOD, their sensing mechanisms, and their efficacy in detecting specific toxic ions. Furthermore, the review explores the progress made, obstacles faced, and future prospects in this rapidly evolving field, highlighting the potential contributions of nanotechnology to the creation of robust sensing platforms for environmental monitoring. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)