ABSTRACT
Nanomaterials possess remarkable optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and catalytic properties which can be efficiently used for sensing a wide variety of substances. It is necessary to periodically assess the contaminant levels in our environment both qualitatively and quantitatively using inexpensive, rapid, and sensitive techniques/tools. The high reactivity of the nanomaterials make them potential analytical tools for monitoring several types of environmental contaminants ranging from heavy metal ions, organic pollutants, toxic gases, to pathogenic microorganisms. In this regard, different varieties of carbon-based and noncarbon based nanomaterials have been investigated for their detection capabilities. Herein, the usage of noncarbon based metals, metal oxides, semiconductor nanoparticles/quantum dots, composite nanomaterials, etc., as sensing platforms are discussed with emphasis on the predominant mechanisms behind contaminant-nanomaterial interactions.
