Electrochemical nanosensors: advances and applications

Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Sensors and Their Applications on the Detection of Trace Metals in Environmental Water Samples

“…Through their increased surface area to volume ratio, nanomaterial-based sensors have been shown to possess an increased sensitivity over traditional sensors [ 59 ]. The increased sensitivity is often ascribed to the improved conductivity resulting from the controlled dimensions and shapes leading to increased electrical and optical properties, in electrochemical and optical nanosensors, respectively [ 22 , 60 ]. Furthermore, it has been reported that any type of anisotropy in the shape of the nanomaterial, including the aggregation of the nanomaterial, can greatly enhance the signal amplification and thereby enhance the sensitivity of the nanosensor [ 61 ].…”

“…These significant properties of nanomaterials enable the linear calibration curves generation leading to the increased sensitivity of the target analyte(s). Furthermore, the increase in the surface area resulting in the miniaturization of materials has shown to result in low LODs [ 60 ]. The signal-noise ratio is also reduced with the application of nanomaterials in sensors [ 57 ].…”

“…Nanomaterials with unique shapes corresponding to the target analyte have been prepared to selectively target the analyte of interest from competing substances within the complex sample matrix [ 26 , 66 ]. Additionally, the increase in the binding sites resulting from the increase in the surface to volume ratio of the nanomaterials has been shown to increase the selectivity of the nanosensors [ 60 ]. Thus, tuning the nanomaterial structure plays a significant role in the selectivity of the nanosensors.…”

“…The responsiveness of any sensor is usually defined according to the time (or frequency in some cases) taken to effect an applied input parameter change [ 67 ]. Evidently, the input parameter change in sensors does not come into effect immediately; instead, it takes a certain period of time, known as the response time [ 60 ]. Interestingly, the response times of the nanosensors have been observed to be lower than those of traditional sensors [ 68 ].…”

On‐Site Detection for Hazardous Materials in Chemical Accidents

“…As a significant branch of conventional analytical techniques, electrochemical sensors 122 enhanced chemical and physical properties arising from electrodes modified with nanomaterials of transition metal oxides and nanocomposites. Researchers have studied not only the preparation of nanomaterials consisted of transition metal oxides and composites with different properties but also their important applications in health, environment, security, and food safety 44,123 . A resistivity‐based sensor has been considered as one of the most promising methods for BTX gas detection 124 .…”