Hybrid Nanomaterials: A Sustainable Tool to Detect Environmental Problems

1. Introduction

In our rapidly evolving world, the critical need to address pressing environmental issues has never been more evident. From pollution and climate change to resource depletion, our planet faces unprecedented challenges that demand innovative solutions. Industrial operations are consistently increasing the amount of harmful substances in various parts of the environment. These pollutants can find their way into the food we eat and cause negative health impacts and environmental issues (Sharma et al., 2023). One of the most promising avenues for tackling these issues lies in the realm of nanotechnology, specifically, hybrid nanomaterials. These microscopic wonders have emerged as transformative tools with the potential to revolutionize environmental monitoring and management (Ibrahim, Hayyan, AlSaadi, Hayyan, & Ibrahim, 2016). Nanotechnology is a cutting-edge technology that operates at a scale of nanometers ranging from 1-100nm and creates devices, materials, and systems with unique properties and functions by precisely controlling the size and shape of the substances (Ibrahim, Hayyan, AlSaadi, Hayyan, & Ibrahim, 2016; Kumar, Sharma, Ahluwalia, Kaur, Pathak, Singh, & Kumar, 2017; Hussain et al., 2018). Hybrid nanomaterials consist of a combination of two or more organic and inorganic nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, or nanowires, with unique properties and functionalities. These qualities make hybrid nanomaterials invaluable in addressing the shortcomings of conventional environmental monitoring techniques (Ananikov, 2019). Current challenges in environmental monitoring include the limited scope of measurements, high operational costs, and the inability to detect emerging contaminants swiftly. Moreover, conventional methods often require substantial energy inputs and generate significant waste, exacerbating the environmental problems they aim to mitigate (Salamanca et al., 2023). In contrast, hybrid nanomaterials offer a sustainable solution by enabling efficient and precise monitoring while minimizing resource consumption and waste generation.