ABSTRACT
Current review signifies recent trends and challenges in the development of electrochemical sensors based on organic conducting polymers (OCPs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their composites for the determination of trace heavy metal ions in water are reviewed. OCPs and CNTs have some suitable properties, such as good electrical, mechanical, chemical and structural properties as well as environmental stability, etc. However, some of these materials still have significant limitations toward selective and sensitive detection of trace heavy metal ions. To overcome the limitations of these individual materials, OCPs/CNTs composites were developed. Application of OCPs/CNTs composite and their novel properties for the adsorption and detection of heavy metal ions outlined and discussed in this review.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)-SERB, New Delhi, India (Project No.SB/EMEQ-042/2013); Inter University Accelerator Center (IUAC), New Delhi, India (UFR No.55305); Rashtriaya Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyan, Govt. of Maharashtra, India (RUSA/order/R&I/2016-17); UGC-SAP, New Delhi, India (F.530/16/DRS-I/2016(SAP-II)). Prof. dr. Almira Ramanaviciene and Prof. habil. dr. Arunas Ramanavicius, are grateful to the Research Council of Lithuania grant. No. S-LAT-17-1.