Simultaneous Detection and Removal of Cadmium Ions from Different Environmental Matrices

Abstract

Environmental pollution is a constant problem, since it affects human health and the sustainable development of both society and economy. Therefore, simple, inexpensive, rapid responsive and portable sensors or collectors for monitoring toxic species are critical issue. Selective colorimetric sensor attracted much interest due to the use of “low-tech” spectroscopic instrumentation. In this review, we discussed the different rational approaches for developing the colorimetric and fluorescence sensors. Interestingly, highly sensitive, low cost, simple nanosensor designs were successfully developed by the immobilization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic chromophore molecules into spherically nanosized cage cavities and surfaces. These classes of optical monolith sensors exhibited long-term stability of signaling and recognition functionalities that in general provided extraordinary sensitivity, selectivity, reusability, and fast kinetic detection of cadmium in different matrices. The significant key factors for development of receptors as “indicator dyes” and surface-confinement materials as “carriers” to broadening the applicability of optical chemical sensors were reported. Such optical sensors offer a possibility of simultaneous pre-concentration and quantification of a target analyte with a minimum sample manipulation, reasonable selectivity and improved sensitivity without using any reference devices.