The functionalization of materials for ultrasensitive detection of heavy metal ions (HMIs) in the environment is crucial. Herewith, we have functionalized inexpensive and environmentally friendly Fe3O4 nanoparticles with D-valine (Fe3O4–D–Val) by a simple co-precipitation synthetic approach characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. The Fe3O4–D–Val sensor was used for the ultrasensitive detection of Cd+2, Pb+2, and Cu+2 in water samples. This sensor shows a very low detection limit of 11.29, 4.59, and 20.07 nM for Cd+2, Pb+2, and Cu+2, respectively. The detection limits are much lower than the values suggested by the world health Organization. The real water samples were also analyzed using the developed sensor.

Electrical energy storage is an ever growing and important area of research in a modern technological world. The quest for energy storage materials is always in the limelight of research for the replacement of conventional environmentally toxic metal-based redox-active materials by organic molecules which provides an alternative for rechargeable batteries. Zinc/magnesium-based conducting polymer batteries attracted significant attention due to their high abundance, safety, and cost-effectiveness compared with lithium ion batteries (LIBs). This Review lays out an extensive overview of metal anodes like zinc/magnesium with conducting polymer cathode materials that possess high conductivity and theoretical capacitance. In addition, the complete redox behavior of polymer cathodes, the mechanism, the anode behavior in acidic and alkaline media, the effect of different electrolyte uses and drawbacks, the binders, and the housing of these batteries have been reviewed in detail. The socioeconomic impact, problems associated with dendrite, and passive layer formation with zinc/magnesium polymer cathode batteries, as well as future perspectives, will give a complete overview for the general reader as well as for experts working in these fields.

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