Review—Nanostructural ZnO-Based Electrochemical Sensor for Environmental Application

Abstract

Recently, a variety of sensors based on zinc oxide nanostructures have been used for the detection of various environmental contaminants. The morphological versatility of zinc oxide crucially improves its sensing properties. In this review, we have mostly focused on the preparation methods of zinc oxide with different structures and morphologies and the electrochemical behaviors for the detection of environmental contaminants including heavy metal ions, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, bacteria and viruses. Numerous electrodes are available for the detection of contaminants in electrochemical systems, but a reliable, portable and inexpensive electrode is urgently needed. Thus, we have summarized several nanostructured zinc oxide -based materials and their actual applications. Controllable structures and morphologies of zinc oxide nanomaterials can make them have an adjustable performance for electrochemical sensors. The investigation of different structure and morphology-dependent sensing properties of zinc oxide nanostructures can offer an insight into the sensing mechanism and enhancement of property for many electrochemical sensors. Zinc oxide -based nanomaterials will serve as a quick and simple platform to identify a wide range of mentioned contaminants with very low detection limits by electrochemical method.