Recent Advances in Nanomaterials for Analysis of Trace Heavy Metals

In an effort to achieve high sensitivity analysis methods for ultra-trace levels of heavy metals, numerous new nanomaterials are explored for the application in preconcentration processes and sensing systems. Nanomaterial-based methods have proven to be effective for selective analysis and speciation of heavy metals in combination with spectrometric techniques. This review outlined the different types of nanomaterials applied in the field of heavy metal analysis, and concentrated on the latest developments in various new materials. In particular, the functionalization of traditional materials and the exploitation of bio-functional materials could increase the specificity to target metals. The hybridization of multiple materials could improve material properties, to build novel sensor system or achieve detection-removal integration. Finally, we discussed the future perspectives of nanomaterials in the heavy metal preconcentration and sensor design, as well as their respective advantages and challenges. Despite impressive progress and widespread attention, the development of new nanomaterials and nanotechnology is still hampered by numerous challenges, particularly in the specificity to the target and the anti-interference performance in complex matrices.

Biomimetic strategies to design metallic proteins for detoxification of hazardous heavy metal

Discharge of hazardous heavy metals in to the environment poses a serious threat to the ecosystem owing to its non-degradability and indestructability. Physical and chemical techniques for the removal of heavy metals from industrial effluent is expensive and causes secondary pollution. On the other hand, biological processes using microorganisms play a vital role due to their large surface area to volume ratio, which increases the interactions with metal ions present in the environment. Here, we developed a third generation biological tool for the removal of heavy metal (copper) from the effluent through the biosynthesis of intracellular and surface displayed metallic proteins with novel metal co-ordination chemistry. We evaluated the cell viability for maximum heavy metal adsorption and metal tolerance of synthesized congener metallic proteins. Finally, to eliminate the cost associated with incorporation of metal binding aminoacid, we have introduced a genetic circuit in order to evolve a novel magnetotactic bacterium. The bioreactor studies of the consortia of metallic protein expressing cells immobilized on functionalized granular activated carbon revealed that 97% of copper was adsorbed from the industrial effluent. It is evident that the use of congener metallic proteins will be a futuristic approach for the treatment of wastewater facilitating environmental detoxification.

Chromium(III) Binding Phage Screening for the Selective Adsorption of Cr(III) and Chromium Speciation

The screening of suitable sorption medium is the key for highly selective solid phase extraction (SPE) of heavy metals. Herein, we demonstrate a universal protocol for producing selective SPE adsorbent through an evolutional approach based on phage display peptide library. By choosing chromium(III) as the model target, immobilized Cr(III) resins are first prepared using Ni-NTA affinity resins for the interaction with NEB heptapeptide phage library. After three rounds of positive biopanning against target Cr(III) and negative biopanning against foreign metal species, Cr(III) binding phages with high selectivity are obtained. The binding affinity and selectivity are further assessed with ELISA. The phages bearing peptide (YKASLIT) is finally chosen and immobilized on cytopore beads for Cr(III) preconcentration. The retained Cr(III) is efficiently recovered by 0.10 mol L(-1) HNO3 and quantified with ICP-MS. By loading 4000 μL of sample solution at pH 7.0 for 2 h and stripping with 400 μL of 0.10 mol L(-1) HNO3, a linear range of 0.05-0.50 μg L(-1) is achieved along with an enrichment factor of 7.1. The limit of detection is derived to be 15 ng L(-1) (3σ, n = 7) with a RSD of 3.6% (0.25 μg L(-1), n = 7). The procedure is validated by analyzing chromium content in a certified reference material GBW08608 (simulate water). In addition, chromium speciation in real water samples is demonstrated. Cr(VI) is first converted into Cr(III), and the latter subjected to the sorption onto the Cr(III) binding phage, followed by elution and quantification of the total chromium amount, and finally speciation is achieved by difference.

On-line sample processing involving microextraction techniques as a front-end to atomic spectrometric detection for trace metal assays: a review

Within the last decade, liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) and micro-solid phase extraction (μSPE) approaches have emerged as substitutes for conventional sample processing procedures for trace metal assays within the framework of green chemistry. This review surveys the progress of the state of the art in simplification and automation of microextraction approaches by harnessing to the various generations of flow injection (FI) as a front end to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry (ICP-AES/MS). It highlights the evolution of flow injection analysis and related techniques as vehicles for appropriate sample presentation to the detector and expedient on-line matrix separation and pre-concentration of trace levels of metals in troublesome matrices. Rather than being comprehensive this review is aimed at outlining the pros and cons via representative examples of recent attempts in automating green sample preparation procedures in an FI or sequential injection (SI) mode capitalizing on single-drop microextraction, dispersive liquid-phase microextraction and advanced sorptive materials including carbon and metal oxide nanoparticles, ion imprinted polymers, superparamagnetic nanomaterials and biological/biomass sorbents. Current challenges in the field are identified and the synergetic combination of flow analysis, nanotechnology and metal-tagged biomolecule detection is envisaged.