New Trends in Nanomaterials for Optical Sensors
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2026) | Viewed by 238
Special Issue Editors
Interests: SiGeSn-based nanomaterials; 2D materials; group IV nanocrystals embedded into dielectrics; high-k gate oxides; magnetron sputtering; thermal evaporation assisted by e-beam, charge storage and opto-electric properties; VIS-SWIR bandgap of group IV alloys; sensors; photodetectors; nonvolatile memories
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: group IV quantum dots; silicon–germanium; germanium–tin; silicon–germanium–tin; germanium nanocrystals; nanocrystals embedded in dielectrics; high-k gate oxides; hafnium dioxide; titanium dioxide; magnetron sputtering; electrical, charge storage and photoelectric properties; ferroelectric HfO2; SWIR bandgap of group IV alloys; group IV photonics; nonvolatile memories; quantum confinement; localized states; Raman spectroscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have opened new avenues in optical sensing, going beyond the limits of actual optical detection platforms and enabling enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and multifunctionality. This Special Issue, titled “New Trends in Nanomaterials for Optical Sensors”, will focus on the design, preparation, characterization and applications of emerging nanomaterials in optical sensors. Innovative materials such as two-dimensional materials, quantum dots, perovskites, topological semimetals, metal–organic frameworks, and hybrid nanocomposites are being developed to enhance light–matter interaction. In addition to individual materials, heterostructures (e.g., 2D/2D, 0D/2D/3D, 2D/3D, 0D/2D) and hybrid systems (nanomaterials combined with plasmonic metal nanostructures, e.g., plasmon 2D hybrid optical sensors, or optical sensors combined with ferroelectric materials, e.g., 2D materials/ferroelectrics) are fabricated to enhance sensitivity. Recent innovations have yielded remarkable optical sensing performance, enabling real-time and label-free detection of chemical and biological species at ultra-low concentrations and high polarization sensitivity in mid-infrared. Moreover, the integration of these nanomaterials with photonic, microfluidic, and wearable technologies is paving the way for next-generation optical sensors with improved portability and adaptability.
This Special Issue aims to highlight innovations in nanomaterials and structures for enhanced optical sensing and their applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, optical communications, industrial process control, and the automotive industry, among other domains. By synthesizing high-quality and timely contributions, this issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest trends and challenges in the field, inspiring future developments in nanomaterial-based optical sensing systems.
Dr. Ionel Stavarache
Dr. Ana-Maria Lepadatu
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nanomaterials
- optical sensors
- two-dimensional materials
- quantum dots
- metal–organic frameworks
- hybrid nanocomposites
- light–matter interaction
- photodetectors
- photonic sensors
- biosensors
- gas sensing
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