Recent progress in porous organic frameworks for electrochemical sensing of environmental pollutants

Heavy metal ions and organic small-molecule pollutants, which include lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and certain pesticides, pose significant risks to both the environment and public health owing to their high toxicity, even in minimal concentrations. Their tendency to bioaccumulate can result in neurological damage, reproductive disorders, and cancer. This study conducts a review of innovative sensing approaches aimed at enhancing the capabilities of electrochemical detection technologies for effective environmental surveillance and the safeguarding of public health. These methods facilitate precise, on-site detection, an aspect integral to environmental monitoring. Porous organic framework materials (POFs) are employed in sensor applications due to their expansive surface areas, variable pore sizes, and chemical adaptability. In a similar vein, nanometallic compounds, namely noble metal nanoparticles, augment sensor efficiency through their exceptional conductivity, catalytic properties, and affinity for analytes, culminating in the improved electrical response and durability of the sensors. The fusion of POFs with nanometallic compounds has culminated in the creation of cutting-edge electrochemical sensors possessing considerable adsorption and potent electrocatalytic functionality, enabling the efficient detection of pollutants.