Surfactant-based sensing platform for the detection of heavy metals

Abstract

Surface-active agents, also called surfactants, form an interesting group of substances with excellent structural properties. So, these molecules are often employed in various areas of electroanalytical chemistry owing to their ability to reduce the interfacial tension of immiscible liquids by creating micelles through hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups in their molecular structure. Environmental pollution has been an important concern in recent years on account of the damage to the ecosystem around the world. Among the contaminants, heavy metals are considered as one of the most dangerous chemicals used in various fields. The industrial and agricultural activities have caused intense heavy metals contamination from automobile industries, mining, pesticides, industrial, and urban residuals in the environmental matrix. This chapter views the studies between 2000 and 2023 based on the surfactant-based sensing platform as highly selective, sensitive, user-friendly, rapid, and low-cost instruments for the determination of heavy metals. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.