Electrodes functionalized with advanced recognition materials for trace electrochemical sensing of uranyl ion

Uranium, highly chemically toxic and radioactive with a long half-life, poses environmental risks due to activities like uranium mining, refining, and nuclear power plant operations. Detecting uranyl ion in real-time is crucial to assess human health risks and control uranium pollution. Electrochemical sensing offers advantages such as sensitivity, selectivity, simplicity, rapidity, and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for on-site detection of uranyl ion. This paper summarizes recent research progress in electrochemical detection of uranyl. Various techniques including cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, stripping voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are discussed along with their respective advantages. Detection methods utilizing electrode-modified functional materials like biomaterials, polymers, and nanomaterials are investigated. Probes like DNAzyme, ion-imprinted polymers, and 2D materials are highlighted for their detection mechanism and effectiveness. Electrochemical sensing with these probes achieves nanomolar-level detection limits (nM) with excellent stability and selectivity, suggesting practical applications. Lastly, predictions are made regarding sensing mechanisms, electrode material selection, and adaptability to field conditions for electrochemical detection of uranyl ion.