Exposure and misuse of organophosphate (OP) compounds originated from insecticides, drugs and chemical warfare agents are potential hazard to health and environment. OP detection is one of the four strategies (deter, detect, delay, and defend) to protect vulnerable from this chemical threat. Among many methods to detect OP, electrical-based detection and graphene nanomaterials deliver higher sensitivity performance, technological compatibility, and versatility. The magic of graphene originates from its large surface area and excellent electrical conductivity, while electrical methods offer low cost, rapid, and easy handling. This article provides an overview of selected electrical and electrochemical methods employing graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, and other graphene forms reported for OP detection in the recent years. Strategies in using graphene, experimental challenges and fundamental material interactions including advantages using biomaterials as receptors in achieving better detection limit, specificity, and selectivity of OP compounds are the highlights of the paper. Every transformation of graphene has its merits in term of ease of processing, device functionality and sustainability. Since contemporary graphene had successfully reached low detection limit possible in OP sensing, graphene sensor device should be focused on developing rapid and in-situ OP monitoring in water and food resources to alert authorities on possible contamination in the community.
View full abstract