Recent advances in engineering aptamer-based sensing and recovery of heavy metals and rare earth elements for environmental sustainability

Heavy metals (HMs) and rare earth elements (REEs) are used in a wide range of industrial and technological applications, but they can also have harmful effects on the environment and human health when released into the environment. Due to their environmental impact and economic importance, there is an increasing interest in detecting and recovering HMs and REEs. Various methods are being developed and optimized for sensing and recovering HMs and REEs, including sensors, (bio)sorbents, and extraction techniques. However, these methods require on-site and routine environmental monitoring professionals, sample pretreatment is complex and requires expensive equipment, and adsorbents/solvents can cause additional environmental pollution. Recently, various biomolecules with hydrophilic properties that can be produced in an eco-friendly manner have been developed to detect and recover HMs and REEs in water. Especially, aptamer-based materials that specifically bind to target molecules are emerging as promising alternatives for detecting, recovering, and recycling HMs and REEs. This article comprehensively reviews recent advanced methods for selecting metal-specific aptamers and their use as biosensors for HMs in environmental samples. Furthermore, sustainable strategies are discussed for potential applications of engineered aptamer-based materials in developing more environmentally friendly techniques for sensing and recovering valuable HMs and potentially REEs.

Automated summary

Heavy metals and rare earth elements are widely used in various industrial and technological applications, but their release into the environment can have harmful effects. There is increasing interest in detecting and recovering these elements due to their environmental impact and economic importance. Various methods, including sensors and sorbents, are being developed, but they have limitations such as complex sample pretreatment and potential environmental pollution. Recently, eco-friendly biomolecules, especially aptamer-based materials, have been developed as promising alternatives for detecting and recovering these elements in water.