Nanomaterials for Potential Detection and Remediation: A Review of Their Analytical and Environmental Applications

The rapid increase in industrialization and human population is leading to critical levels of environmental pollutants, such as agrochemicals or heavy metals, which affect the preservation and integrity of ecosystems, the accessibility to drinking water sources, and the quality of the air. As such, remediation of these issues demands strategies for implementing and designing novel technologies. In that regard, nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties that make them desirable candidates for the detection and remediation of environmental pollutants. The scope of this review is to provide an analysis of the available nanomaterials that are being used as an approach to detect and remediate hazardous residues, comprising systems such as noble metals, biosensors, cyclodextrin-based polymers, and graphene oxide nanocomposites, to name a few. Furthermore, this work discusses said nanomaterials in terms of their effectiveness, sustainability, and selectivity as a guideline for researchers wishing to indulge in this relevant study area.