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Emerging materials integrated into high performance flexible electronics to detect environmental contaminants have received extensive attention worldwide. The accurate detection of widespread organophosphorus (OP) compounds in the environment is crucial due to their high toxicity even at low concentrations, which leads to acute health concerns. Therefore, developing rapid, highly sensitive, reliable, and facile analytical sensing techniques is necessary to monitor environmental, ecological, and food safety risks. Although enzyme-based sensors have better sensitivity, their practical usage is hindered due to their low specificity and stability. Therefore, among various detection methods of OP compounds, this review article focuses on the progress made in the development of enzyme-free electrochemical sensors as an effective nostrum. Further, the novel materials used in these sensors and their properties, synthesis methodologies, sensing strategies, analytical methods, detection limits, and stability are discussed. Finally, this article summarizes potential avenues for future prospective electrochemical sensors and the current challenges of enhancing the performance, stability, and shelf life.
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Advances in electrochemical detection methods for measuring contaminants of emerging concerns
Abstract The presence of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), per/poly‐fluorinated substances (PFAS), pesticides, and nanomaterials poses significant challenges to the environment and human health. This review discusses the current status of electrochemical sensing methods and their potential as low‐cost analytical platforms for the detection and characterization of emerging contaminants. Recent developments in advanced materials and fabrication techniques such as electrophoretic deposition, layer‐by‐layer deposition, roll‐to‐roll and 3D printing techniques, and the scalable manufacturing of low‐cost portable electrochemical devices are discussed. Examples of detection mechanisms, electrode modification procedures, device configuration, and their performance along with recent developments in fundamental electrochemistry, particularly nanoimpact methods, are provided to demonstrate the capabilities of these methods for the environmental monitoring of CECs. Finally, a critical discussion of future research needs, detection challenges, and opportunities is provided to demonstrate how electrochemistry can be used to advance field monitoring of these chemicals. These methods can be used as complementary or alternative methods to the currently used laboratory‐based analytical instrumentation to facilitate large‐scale studies and manage risks associated with the presence of CECs in the environment and other matrices.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2141017
- PAR ID:
- 10361171
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Electrochemical Science Advances
- Volume:
- 2
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 2698-5977
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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