Nanoparticle-based environmental sensors

Environmental monitoring requires rapid and reliable analytical tools that can perform sample analysis with minimal sample handling. Nanoparticle (NP)-based environmental sensors have the potential to detect toxins, heavy metals, and organic pollutants in air, water, and soil, and are expected to play an increasingly important role in environmental monitoring. They can both improve detection and sensing of pollutants, and be used to develop new remediation technologies. Compared to traditional detection methods, NP sensors may have higher selectivity, sensitivity and stability and lower cost. This review reports on the development of sensing principles based on NP, including synthesis of specific NP components, optical sensors, electrochemical biosensors and magnetic-relaxation sensors. Advantages over other environmental monitoring methods are discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.