From Polymeric Waste to Disposable Electrochemical Environmental Sensors for Water Quality Monitoring
摘要
One of the crucial elements embedded within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN) is SDG 6, which focuses on ‘clean water and sanitation.‘ This goal underscores the intrinsic human entitlement to safe and economically viable drinking water. Evaluating the conditions of accessible water and identifying the levels of pollutants yields meaningful insights about water quality and risk assessment. It aids in pinpointing pollution sources, evaluating impacts on the environment, and steering efficient strategies for water resources management. This study details the application and adaptation of discarded polymer or plastic materials as immobilization matrices for 2D materials, e.g., pristine or metal-doped graphitic C3N4 nanosheets (gCN). The outcome is the creation of single-use electro-chemical environmental sensors, specifically designed for monitoring water quality and assessing associated risks. These sensors showcase exceptional capabilities in recognizing pollutants, demonstrating heightened sensitivity toward different anionic dyes, and achieving sub-micromolar detection limits. By employing disposable environmental sensors to monitor pollutant concentrations in surface waters, governing bodies can proactively implement measures to mitigate or eliminate contaminants. This proactive approach plays a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of clean and secure water for communities. Consequently, the vigilant tracking of pollutant concentrations emerges as an indispensable aspect of sustainably managing water resources, aligning with the realization of SDG 6. This proactive approach contributes significantly to the continuing assurance of safe and clean drinking water accessibility for everyone.