ABSTRACT
Nanosensors can detect the presence of nanomaterials or molecules of that size or even smaller and give information about their behavior and characteristics at the macroscopic level. Nanosensors are instruments that are used in places where it is difficult to reach, to monitor physical and chemical phenomena. Chemical sensors are so sensitive that they can detect a single particular chemical or biological molecule. Heavy metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues and is a major threat to global sustainability. The toxicity of heavy metals is due to their soluble nature in water and their non-biodegradability, extended half-life, and accumulation in different body parts. Nanomaterials are used to sense heavy metals based on their properties of high catalytic efficiency, high surface reactivity, great surface area, and strong adsorption ability. The sensors used for monitoring mercury vapor include surface acoustic wave-based sensors, piezoelectric sensors, nanosensors, and polymer carbon composite sensors.
