Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Chemosensors (ISSN 2227-9040). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Chemical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 3787

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Materials Science Unit, Materia Nova, 56 Rue de l’Epargne, 7000 Mons, Belgium
Interests: optical fibers sensors; fiber optics; semiconductor gas sensors; optical sensing; active coatings
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Guest Editor
Materials Science Department, University of Mons, 56 Rue de l’Epargne, 7000 Mons, Belgium
Interests: solid state physics; material science; nanotechnology; sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air quality, water pollution, and the health of the population are major factors that pose significant challenges to our modern society. The performance of appropriate monitoring is essential to the achievement of sustainable growth and, thereby, the maintenance of a healthy society. In recent years, environmental monitoring and early medical diagnosis have been transformed into the intelligent monitoring of crucial parameters, owing to advances in the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of modern sensors.

This Special Issue will provide a forum that is dedicated to recent research in the field of smart (bio)chemical sensors for environmental and medical applications. Both review articles and original research papers that address the following topics are welcome:

  • Bio-medical sensors;
  • Sensors for diagnosis;
  • Sensors for environmental monitoring;
  • Air pollution sensors (indoor and outdoor);
  • Volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors;
  • NO2 sensors;
  • Water pollution sensors;
  • Pesticide and persistent organic pollutant sensors;
  • Heavy metal sensors.

Dr. Driss Lahem
Dr. Marc Debliquy
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • bio-medical sensors
  • sensors for diagnosis
  • sensors for environmental monitoring
  • air pollution sensors (indoor and outdoor)
  • volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors
  • NO2 sensors
  • water pollution sensors
  • pesticide and persistent organic pollutant sensors
  • heavy metal sensors

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 4066 KiB  
Article
Development of a Reliable Device for ‘Fluorokinetic’ Analysis Based on a Portable Diode Array MEMS Fluorimeter
by Domingo González-Arjona and Germán López-Pérez
Chemosensors 2025, 13(4), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13040128 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 269
Abstract
A device was developed to study the evolution of fluorescence spectra as a function of time. A previously designed fluorimeter based on the diode array mini-spectrometer CM12880MA was used. The control and measurement were carried out by programming a SAM21D microcontroller. Considerations regarding [...] Read more.
A device was developed to study the evolution of fluorescence spectra as a function of time. A previously designed fluorimeter based on the diode array mini-spectrometer CM12880MA was used. The control and measurement were carried out by programming a SAM21D microcontroller. Considerations regarding the optimization of acquisition speed, memory, and computer interface have been analyzed and optimized. As a result, a very versatile device with great adaptability, reduced dimensions, portability, and a low budget (under EUR 500) has been built. The sensitivity, controlled by the integration time of the photodiodes, can be adjusted between 10 µs and 20 s, thus allowing sampling times ranging from 10 ms to more than 10 h. Under these conditions, chemical rate constants from 20 s−1 to 10−8 s−1 can be experimentally determined. It has a very wide operating range for the kinetic rate constant determination, over six orders of magnitude. As proof of the system performance, the oxidation reaction of Thiamine in a basic medium to form fluorescent Thiochrome has been employed. The evolution of the emission spectrum has been followed, and the decomposition rate constant has been measured at 2.1 × 10−3 s−1, a value which matches those values reported in the literature for this system. A Thiochrome calibration curve has also been performed, obtaining a detection limit of 13 nM, consistent with literature data. Additionally, the stability of Thiochrome has been tested, being the photo-decomposition rate constants 1.8 × 10−4 s−1 and 3.0 × 10−7 s−1, in the presence and absence of UV light (365 nm), respectively. Finally, experiments have been designed to obtain, in a single measurement, the values of both rate constants: the formation of Thiochrome from Thiamine and its photo-decomposition under UV light to a non-fluorescent product. The rate constant values obtained are in good agreement with those previously obtained through independent experiments under the same experimental conditions. These results show that, under these conditions, Thiochrome can be considered an unstable intermediate in a chemical reaction with successive stages. Full article
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13 pages, 6356 KiB  
Article
Detection of Ascorbic Acid in Tears with an Extended-Gate Field-Effect Transistor-Based Electronic Tongue Made of Electropolymerized Porphyrinoids on Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes
by Kishore Pushparaj, Lorena Di Zazzo, Valerio Allegra, Rosamaria Capuano, Alexandro Catini, Gabriele Magna, Roberto Paolesse and Corrado Di Natale
Chemosensors 2025, 13(3), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13030108 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 480
Abstract
Porphyrinoids are suitable sensitive materials for potentiometric electronic tongues. In this paper, we take advantage of these properties to develop an electronic tongue using an extended-gate field-effect transistor as a signal transducer. The sensitive films were made of different porphyrins and corroles electropolymerized [...] Read more.
Porphyrinoids are suitable sensitive materials for potentiometric electronic tongues. In this paper, we take advantage of these properties to develop an electronic tongue using an extended-gate field-effect transistor as a signal transducer. The sensitive films were made of different porphyrins and corroles electropolymerized in situ onto laser-induced graphene electrodes. The electronic tongue was duly characterized with respect to ascorbic acid, a common natural antioxidant. The sensors were shown to be sensitive and selective with respect to common interferents, such as dopamine and uric acid. Finally, the sensors were tested to detect ascorbic acid in artificial tears. Full article
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21 pages, 4590 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Application of Pomegranate-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles as Contrast Agents for Enhancing Breast Cancer Detection via Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy
by Hala S. Abuelmakarem, Mohamed Aly Saad Aly, Shaza H. Aly, Sodfa Ayman, Muhammad Shamim Al Mamun and Omnia Hamdy
Chemosensors 2025, 13(2), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13020073 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 654
Abstract
The present cancer diagnostic techniques and contrast agents suffer drawbacks, adverse effects, and poor compatibility with patients due to health variations. To improve the detection of breast cancer, this work examined and contrasted the prospective applications of pomegranates, chitosan nanoparticles (Cs NPs), and [...] Read more.
The present cancer diagnostic techniques and contrast agents suffer drawbacks, adverse effects, and poor compatibility with patients due to health variations. To improve the detection of breast cancer, this work examined and contrasted the prospective applications of pomegranates, chitosan nanoparticles (Cs NPs), and pomegranate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (PCs NPs) as contrast agents for breast cancer, based on the diffuse reflectance properties at the following laser frequencies: red (670 nm) and near-infrared (700 and 808 nm) spectrum. Herein, a platform for the detection of breast cancer is proposed, offering a promising pathway for cancer detection. PCs NPs with two different pomegranate contents (2 and 5 g/L) were synthesized using the sol–gel method. The cytotoxicity of the developed nanomaterials on human normal (Vero) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines were evaluated in the presence of laser irradiation at 670 nm, and the fluorescent effect of the nanoparticles was observed. The chemical structures of the nanomaterials and pomegranate extract were analyzed using FTIR, and they were then further analytically characterized using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Results confirmed the structural stability of the nanomaterials. Cytotoxicity measurements revealed that the nanomaterials achieved a selective cytotoxic effect toward tumor cells. Results also showed significant wavelength-dependent changes in diffuse reflectance characteristics between malignant and normal cells. PCs NPs, at a content of 5 g/L, enhanced the reflectance in malignant cells compared to normal cells of more than three folds. These findings indicate the potential of PCs NPs to distinguish between healthy and malignant cells based on the reflection measurements. Full article
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10 pages, 1386 KiB  
Article
Rapid Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells from Glioblastoma Patients Using a Lateral Filter Array Microfluidic Device
by Victória D’Amario Gavioli, Marcos Vilas Boas Filho, Gustavo R. Castro, Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho, Adriana Camargo Ferrasi and Valber A. Pedrosa
Chemosensors 2025, 13(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13020064 - 11 Feb 2025
Viewed by 678
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer in adults, representing 35–40% of all malignant brain tumors. This highly aggressive malignancy originates in the central nervous system, and despite notable advancements in treatment strategies, it continues to be an incurable disease. The [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer in adults, representing 35–40% of all malignant brain tumors. This highly aggressive malignancy originates in the central nervous system, and despite notable advancements in treatment strategies, it continues to be an incurable disease. The isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTC) at an early stage is challenging due to the low probability of their presence in peripheral blood. Detection and enumeration as early as possible can reportedly lead to more effective treatment. This study proposes a novel label-free, rapid, and continuous CTC separation device based on a lateral filter array microfluidic device for the highly efficient immunoaffinity isolation of CTCs. Our methodology successfully captured and isolated circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the whole blood of glioblastoma (GBM) patients prior to surgery, achieving over 90% capture efficiency in under 40 min of analysis. These findings highlight the potential of this technology to enhance our understanding of the clinical significance of CTCs in the management of GBM in future research. Full article
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11 pages, 1390 KiB  
Article
Pollution Monitoring via Potentiometric Membrane Sensors for the Determination of Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride in the Presence of Its Main Photo-Degradation Products in River Water
by Sherif A. Abdel-Gawad and Ali Altharawi
Chemosensors 2024, 12(11), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12110240 - 17 Nov 2024
Viewed by 907
Abstract
The utilization of membrane sensors for the monitoring and determination of pharmaceutical environmental pollutants has emerged as a crucial objective in recent years. Given the extensive use of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) in medicine, its presence in the environment, particularly in surface water such [...] Read more.
The utilization of membrane sensors for the monitoring and determination of pharmaceutical environmental pollutants has emerged as a crucial objective in recent years. Given the extensive use of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) in medicine, its presence in the environment, particularly in surface water such as rivers, is highly probable. Prolonged exposure of river water to sunlight and the photo-degradability of CPZ may enhance its photo-degradation. For the purpose of measuring CPZ in the presence of its primary photo-degradants, two sensitive and selective membrane electrodes were developed. These were synthesized utilizing two ion-pairing agents: sodium tetraphenylborate (TPB) and phosphotungstic acid (PTA). The electrodes exhibited a linear range that extended from 1 × 10−6 M to 1 × 10−2 M. The membrane electrodes of CPZ-TPB and CPZ-PTA exhibited slopes of 59.90 ± 0.60 mV/decade and 58.90 ± 0.80 mV/decade, respectively. The sensors mentioned above showed acceptable performance in a pH range of 2.0 to 6.0. All test parameters were optimized to provide superior electrochemical performance. The fabricated membranes were effectively employed to sensitively quantify CPZ in the presence of its principal photodegradants. The developed sensors were successfully employed to quantify CPZ in river water samples without necessitating pre-treatment procedures. Full article
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Review

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31 pages, 6110 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress on Rare Earth Orthoferrites for Gas-Sensing Applications
by Ganesh Kotnana and Seongin Hong
Chemosensors 2025, 13(5), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13050156 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 121
Abstract
Gas-sensing technology is crucial for the detection of toxic and harmful gases to ensure environmental safety and human health. Gas sensors convert the changes in the conductivity of the sensing material resulting from the adsorption of gas molecules into measurable electrical signals. Rare [...] Read more.
Gas-sensing technology is crucial for the detection of toxic and harmful gases to ensure environmental safety and human health. Gas sensors convert the changes in the conductivity of the sensing material resulting from the adsorption of gas molecules into measurable electrical signals. Rare earth orthoferrite-based perovskite oxides have emerged as promising candidates for gas-sensing technology owing to their exceptional structural, optical, and electrical properties, which enable the detection of various gases. In this article, we review the latest developments in orthoferrite-based gas sensors in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, stability, operating temperature, and response and recovery times. It begins with a discussion on the gas-sensing mechanism of orthoferrites, followed by a critical emphasis on their nanostructure, doping effects, and the formation of nanocomposites with other sensing materials. Additionally, the role of the tunable bandgap and different porous morphologies with a high surface area of the orthoferrites on their gas-sensing performance were explored. Finally, we identified the current challenges and future perspectives in the gas-sensing field, such as novel doping strategies and the fabrication of miniaturized gas sensors for room-temperature operation. Full article
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