Recent progress in designable nanostructure for heavy metal electrochemical sensors: From material synthesis to practical applications

Heavy metal ions are common toxic substances in the environment, and their toxicity affects various environmental components, posing a significant threat to human health. Therefore, establishing a robust and efficient system for detecting heavy metal content in samples is crucial. Traditional detection methods are often inadequate to meet current demands. In contrast, electrochemical sensor detection has emerged as a promising research direction due to its unique capabilities. Enhancing the detection efficiency of electrochemical sensors is a primary research focus. A leading strategy to significantly improve detection performance involves incorporating nanomaterials into electrochemical sensors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of one-, two-, and three-dimensional nanomaterials in electrochemical sensors. It systematically discusses the construction methods and recent research progress of sensors based on these different nanostructures. This review compares the achievements of nanomaterials in the field of electrochemical sensors in recent years, providing new ideas for the preparation of electrochemical sensors with higher sensitivity and lower detection limits. Combining the advantages of various nanomaterials to obtain innovative electrode modification materials can address the threat of heavy metal ions in food, environmental, and other fields.