Green Electrochemical Sensors for Trace Heavy Metal Detection

A special issue of Chemosensors (ISSN 2227-9040). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrochemical Devices and Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 338

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Interests: analytical chemistry; electroanalysis; sensors; surface analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Interests: analytical chemistry; electroanalysis; sensors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing accumulation of toxic heavy metals such as Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and As(III) in environmental and biological systems presents a severe global challenge. Chronic exposure to these metals is linked to neurological disorders, organ damage, and long-term ecological risks due to soil and water contamination. Spectroscopy and chromatography techniques are often expensive, time-consuming, and require non-portable instrumentation. This highlights the need for innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable monitoring technologies.

This Special Issue, entitled “Green Electrochemical Sensors for Trace Heavy Metal Detection”, aims to bridge the gap between advanced electroanalytical techniques and environmental sustainability. We focus on the development and application of biopolymer- and biodegradable polymer-based sensors, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic materials. By integrating naturally derived, biodegradable, and functionalizable materials (for example, alginate, gelatin, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, and polylactic-co-glycolic acid) into sensor technology, this Special Issue explores innovative solutions that enhance sensor sensitivity, selectivity, and environmental compatibility.

Key topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Green electrode materials: Functionalized biopolymers, conducting polymer composites, and biodegradable nanomaterials for electrochemical sensor development.
  • Sustainable fabrication techniques: Electrochemical polymerization, layer-by-layer assembly, and 3D printing approaches for eco-friendly sensor production.
  • Enhanced electroanalytical performance: Strategies to improve the detection limits, stability, and selectivity of biopolymer-based sensors.
  • Multi-metal detection and real-world applications: Development of sensors for the simultaneous detection of multiple heavy metals in water, soil, and biological matrices.
  • Integration with emerging technologies: Smart sensing platforms, miniaturized portable devices, and AI-driven data analysis for real-time environmental monitoring.
  • Circular economy and environmental impact: Assessing the lifecycle, sustainability, and disposal strategies of biodegradable electrochemical sensors.

This Special Issue invites original research and comprehensive reviews on cutting-edge advancements in green electrochemical sensor technology, addressing critical needs in environmental monitoring and public health protection. By fostering a sustainable and high-performance approach, this collection aims to shape the future of electrochemical sensing, aligning with global efforts toward greener analytical methods.

Dr. Matjaž Finšgar
Dr. Barbara Rajh
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biopolymers
  • biodegradable polymers
  • electrochemical sensors
  • electroanalysis
  • heavy metals in traces

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 1647 KiB  
Article
Electrochemical Sensing of Hg2+ Ions Using an SWNTs/Ag@ZnBDC Composite with Ultra-Low Detection Limit
by Gajanan A. Bodkhe, Bhavna Hedau, Mayuri S. More, Myunghee Kim and Mahendra D. Shirsat
Chemosensors 2025, 13(7), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13070259 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 150
Abstract
A novel single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT), silver (Ag) nanoparticle, and zinc benzene carboxylate (ZnBDC) metal–organic framework (MOF) composite was synthesised and systematically characterised to develop an efficient platform for mercury ion (Hg2+) detection. X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful incorporation of Ag [...] Read more.
A novel single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT), silver (Ag) nanoparticle, and zinc benzene carboxylate (ZnBDC) metal–organic framework (MOF) composite was synthesised and systematically characterised to develop an efficient platform for mercury ion (Hg2+) detection. X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful incorporation of Ag nanoparticles and SWNTs without disrupting the crystalline structure of ZnBDC. Meanwhile, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy mapping revealed a uniform elemental distribution. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated enhanced thermal stability. Electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) demonstrated improved charge transfer properties. Electrochemical sensing investigations using differential pulse voltammetry revealed that the SWNTs/Ag@ZnBDC-modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited high selectivity toward Hg2+ ions over other metal ions (Cd2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Fe3+, and Zn2+), with optimal performance at pH 4. The sensor displayed a linear response in the concentration range of 0.1–1.0 nM (R2 = 0.9908), with a calculated limit of detection of 0.102 nM, slightly close to the lowest tested point, confirming its high sensitivity for ultra-trace Hg2+ detection. The outstanding sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility underscore the potential of SWNTs/Ag@ZnBDC as a promising electrochemical platform for detecting trace levels of Hg2+ in environmental monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Electrochemical Sensors for Trace Heavy Metal Detection)
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