The challenges of micropollutants and their environmental detection through biochar-based nanostructured electrochemical sensors: a review

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2023-10, Vol.20 (10), p.11741-11762
• Main Authors: Ambaye, A. D., Fito, J., Nxumalo, E., Nkambule, T. T. I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; biochar; chemical species; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; electrochemistry; electrodes; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; nanocomposites; pollutants; porosity; pyrolysis; Review; sensors (equipment); Soil Science & Conservation; species; surface area; synergism; thermal stability; viability; Waste Water Technology; wastewater; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-023-04896-8

The development of smart nanosensor devices has received top attention from developers of advanced sensor technologists and commencing agents to attain improved detection of micropollutants from water and wastewater. The rapidly increasing of micropollutants in the environment is a big challenge for humanity in the twenty-first century. Herein, biochar-based nanostructured materials for electrochemical sensors are an emerging approach to satisfy the high demand for sensors for environmental application of sample analyses. Most importantly, the modification of biochar for sensor applications is rapidly increasing over time. Recently, biochar nanocomposite-based sensors have been recommended widely for electrochemical sensors. Biochar preparation is done through anaerobic pyrolysis, and it exhibits high surface area, good chemical interaction, remarkable thermal stability, and maximum porosity. Thus, biochar can be applied extensively for electrochemical sensors for detection of the micropollutants and biomolecule species. Specifically, biochar-based nanostructured electrodes are promising in terms of technical feasibility, the large detection range of various analytes, complex sample matrix analysis, the linear range of adaptability, technique viability, and capability of lowest detection limits. Moreover, the synergistic effect of the biochar-based nanostructured electrode materials can upgrade the sensor technology for practical application. Thus, the use of biochar is encouraging to scale up the sensor technology and to mitigate real environmental challenges. Hence, this review is typically focused on analyses of micropollutants and evaluates the performance of biochar-based nanocomposite electrochemical sensors in addition to the sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of the sensors. Finally, the prospects and limitations of biochar-based nanocomposites for sensor applications were thoroughly evaluated.