Advances in single-molecule junctions for the detection of hazardous pollutants

, electromigration break junction and carbon-based molecular junction), and analyzes their respective characteristics. Subsequently, it focuses on reviewing the specific applications of this technology in detecting inorganic pollutants (heavy metal ions, inorganic anions, and acidity/alkalinity), organic pollutants (explosives, pesticides, and dye molecules), and microbial-related pollutants (biomacromolecules). These applications demonstrate its exceptional detection sensitivity, ranging from femtomole to attomole levels, and excellent selectivity, with some techniques already validated in real environmental samples and clinical specimens. This work also identifies challenges in practical applications, such as mass transport limitations, interfacial stability, interference from complex matrices, and data analysis issues. Finally, it outlines future development directions, including the development of parallel array sensing, intelligent responsive probes, integration of artificial intelligence for data analysis, and promoting technological standardization and interdisciplinary collaboration, thereby providing guidance and reference for the subsequent development of single-molecule detection sensors.