Paving the Way for a Green Transition in the Design of Sensors and Biosensors for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Abstract

The efficient and selective detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) provides key information for various purposes ranging from the toxicological analysis of indoor/outdoor environments to the diagnosis of diseases or to the investigation of biological processes. In the last decade, different sensors and biosensors providing reliable, rapid, and economic responses in the detection of VOCs have been successfully conceived and applied in numerous practical cases; however, the global necessity of a sustainable development, has driven the design of devices for the detection of VOCs to greener methods. In this review, the most recent and innovative VOC sensors and biosensors with sustainable features are presented. The sensors are grouped into three of the main industrial sectors of daily life, including environmental analysis, highly important for toxicity issues, food packaging tools, especially aimed at avoiding the spoilage of meat and fish, and the diagnosis of diseases, crucial for the early detection of relevant pathological conditions such as cancer and diabetes. The research outcomes presented in the review underly the necessity of preparing sensors with higher efficiency, lower detection limits, improved selectivity, and enhanced sustainable characteristics to fully address the sustainable manufacturing of VOC sensors and biosensors.

Strengthening Australia’s Chemical Regulation

“…Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse group of chemicals originating from industrial processes, internal combustion engines, building materials, cleaning products, and food preparation, with occupational and domestic exposures [ 17 ]. They are widespread and exposure to them is common [ 18 ].…”

Recent development of the fluorescence-based detection of volatile organic compounds: a mechanistic overview

“…Among these, organic fluorophores, which include small molecules, conjugated polymers, and framework systems, have great potential for the detection of a wide range of analytes due to their flexible synthesis, convenient processing, good biocompatibility, and reproducibility. 1,[29][30][31][32][33][34] Besides, they involve several distinct sensing mechanisms depending on their molecular structure and conformation, and thus need an elaborate discussion of the mechanistic approaches available in the current literature. Although a few review articles have been published in recent years, none of them have discussed a wide range of organic fluorophores, including small molecules, conjugated polymers, and framework systems for the detection of VOCs with an exhaustive analysis of the involved sensing mechanism.…”

“…Although a few review articles have been published in recent years, none of them have discussed a wide range of organic fluorophores, including small molecules, conjugated polymers, and framework systems for the detection of VOCs with an exhaustive analysis of the involved sensing mechanism. 1,[29][30][31][32][33][34] Most of the classical fluorophores exhibit strong fluorescence properties in their molecularly dispersed solution state only, whereas their fluorescence properties reduce drastically in the solid/aggregated state due to strong face-to-face p-p stacking among the aromatic moieties. This phenomenon is termed aggregation caused quenching (ACQ), a negative effect that restricts their real-world applications.…”

Boosting the Ni‐Catalyzed Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of Anisole Using Scrap Catalytic Converters

“…[6][7][8][9][10] As a result, more immediate ways to reduce the excessive exploitation of fossil fuels and the consequent uncontrolled atmospheric accumulation of CO 2 are necessary. [11][12][13][14] Currently, biofuels represent the greenest alternative to petroleum derivatives, since their use does not imply the release of fossil-stored carbon dioxide. [15] Thus, the use of biofuels for transportation can directly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to addressing the SDG 13 "climate action.…”

“…As a result, more immediate ways to reduce the excessive exploitation of fossil fuels and the consequent uncontrolled atmospheric accumulation of CO 2 are necessary. [ 11–14 ]…”