Colorimetric detection of heavy metal ions with various chromogenic materials: Strategies and applications
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Quantification of Metal Leaching in Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography
Published on: January 17, 2020
Zhuo Chen1, Zhiyang Zhang2, Ji Qi2
1Key Laboratory of Life-Organic Analysis of Shandong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China; CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Research Center for Coastal Environmental Engineering and Technology, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China.
Abstract:
Detection of heavy metal ions has drawn significant attention in environmental and food area due to their threats to the human health and ecosystem. Colorimetry is one of the most frequently-used methods for the detection of heavy metal ions owing to its simplicity, easy operation and rapid on-site detection. The development of chromogenic materials and their sensing mechanisms are the key research direction in the area of colorimetric method. Since each chromogenic material has their unique optical and chemical properties, they have totally different colorimetric sensing mechanisms. This review focuses on the chromogenic materials and their sensing strategies for the colorimetric detection of heavy metal ions. We divide the chromogenic materials into three types, including organic materials, inorganic materials, and other materials. As for each type of chromogenic material, we discuss their detailed sensing strategies, sensing performance, and real sample applications. Moreover, current challenges and perspectives related to the colorimetry of heavy metal ions are also discussed in this review. The aim of this review is to help readers to better understand the principles of colorimetric methods for heavy metal ions and push the development of rapid detection of heavy metal ions.
More Related Videos
10:31Detection and Recovery of Palladium, Gold and Cobalt Metals from the Urban Mine Using Novel Sensors/Adsorbents Designated with Nanoscale Wagon-wheel-shaped Pores
Published on: December 6, 2015
12:11ELIME Enzyme Linked Immuno Magnetic Electrochemical Method for Mycotoxin Detection
Published on: October 23, 2009
Related Concept Videos
Effects of EDTA on End-Point Detection Methods
In the visual method, metal-ion indicators (metallochromic dyes), which have distinct colors in their free and complex forms, are added to the mixture to signal the titration's end point. They form stable complexes with metal ions, but these complexes are weaker than the corresponding metal–EDTA complexes. As a...
Complexometric Titration: Overview
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Types of Detectors
Qualitative Analysis
For instance, group IV...
Precipitation Titration: Endpoint Detection Methods
In the Volhard method, a standard excess of AgNO3 is first added to the...
Extraction: Advanced Methods