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New Nanomaterials: Optimization and Application in the Field of Environmental Sensors

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 450

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Sciences and Advanced Technologies Department, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Valahia University of Târgoviște, Aleea Sinaia, nr 13, 130004 Târgoviște, Romania
2. Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Science Technology, Valahia University of Târgoviște, Aleea Sinaia, nr 13, 130004 Târgoviște, Romania
Interests: chemistry; analytical chemistry; nanomaterials; bio-based materials
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Guest Editor
National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies, IMT-Bucharest, 126 A Str. Erou Iancu Nicolae, 077190 Voluntari, Romania
Interests: nano-composite material characterization: Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy; additive manufacturing; spray coating techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies, IMT-Bucharest, 126 A Str. Erou Iancu Nicolae, 077190 Voluntari, Romania
Interests: smart sensors; thin solid films; micro/nanotechnology; micro/nanoelectronics; experimental design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies, IMT-Bucharest, 126 A Str. Erou Iancu Nicolae, 077190 Voluntari, Romania
Interests: supramolecular chemistry; micro/nanotechnology, micro/nanoelectronics; green chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental monitoring increasingly depends on advanced nanomaterials for real-time pollutant detection in soil, water, and air. This Special Issue highlights the development, optimization, and application of novel nanomaterials in environmental sensing, focusing on the integration of IoT and AI technologies. Combining machine learning with sensor networks enables big data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modeling of environmental parameters and climate trends.

Incorporating nanomaterials into polymer matrices is crucial for developing innovative, high-performance sensing devices. Polymers, as versatile and cost-effective substrates, provide an excellent platform for creating sensors capable of detecting various chemicals with superior selectivity and sensitivity. By embedding nanoscale fillers into polymer matrices, researchers can fine-tune material properties, such as mechanical, thermal, electrical, and barrier characteristics, unlocking significant potential for advanced sensing applications.

This approach is particularly vital for environmental monitoring, where the real-time detection of pollutants increasingly relies on these advanced materials. Combining polymer-based nanocomposites with cutting-edge technologies such as IoT and AI enables creating smart sensors capable of analyzing big data, identifying patterns, and modeling environmental parameters with high precision. Such advancements enhance sensor sensitivity, selectivity, and response times, paving the way for transformative progress in environmental sensing.

Additionally, integrating nanomaterials into polymer matrices aligns with sustainable development goals by supporting bioeconomy principles, reducing waste, and promoting zero-emission technologies. These next-generation sensors play a critical role in monitoring CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions, advancing climate change mitigation strategies, and fostering sustainability. Highlighting the synergy between nanomaterials and polymers underscores their transformative potential in developing cost-effective, high-performance sensors that address pressing environmental challenges.

Dr. Marius Bumbac
Dr. Cristina Pachiu
Dr. Octavian Buiu
Dr. Bogdan Şerban
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • advanced nanomaterials
  • sensor networks, polymer-based nanocomposites, smart sensing technologies
  • environmental monitoring
  • internet of things (IoT)

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 7568 KiB  
Article
Carbon Nano-Onions–Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposite for Resistive Monitoring of Relative Humidity
by Bogdan-Catalin Serban, Niculae Dumbravescu, Octavian Buiu, Marius Bumbac, Carmen Dumbravescu, Mihai Brezeanu, Cristina Pachiu, Cristina-Mihaela Nicolescu, Cosmin Romanitan and Oana Brincoveanu
Sensors 2025, 25(10), 3047; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25103047 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 378
Abstract
This paper reports several preliminary investigations concerning the relative humidity (RH) detection response of a chemiresistive sensor that uses a novel sensing layer based on pristine carbon nano-onions (CNOs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at a 1/1 and 2/1 w/w ratio. The [...] Read more.
This paper reports several preliminary investigations concerning the relative humidity (RH) detection response of a chemiresistive sensor that uses a novel sensing layer based on pristine carbon nano-onions (CNOs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at a 1/1 and 2/1 w/w ratio. The sensing device, including a Si/SiO2 substrate and gold electrodes, is obtained by depositing the CNOs–PVA aqueous suspension on the sensing structure by drop casting. The composition and morphology of the sensing film are explored by means of scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The manufactured sensor’s room temperature RH detection performance is examined by applying a continuous flow of the electric current between the interdigitated electrodes and measuring the voltage as the RH varies from 5% to 95%. For RH below 82% (sensing layer based on CNOs–PVA at 1/1 w/w ratio) or below 50.5% (sensing layer based on CNOs–PVA at 2/1 w/w ratio), the resistance varies linearly with RH, with a moderate slope. The newly developed sensor, using CNOs–PVA at a 1:1 ratio (w/w), responded as well as or better than the reference sensor. At the same time, the recorded recovery time was about 30 s, which is half the recovery time of the reference sensor. Additionally, the changes in resistance (ΔR/ΔRH) for different humidity levels showed that the CNOs–PVA layer at 1:1 was more sensitive at humidity levels above 80%. The main RH sensing mechanisms considered and discussed are the decrease in the hole concentration in the CNOs during the interaction with an electron donor molecule, such as water, and the swelling of the hydrophilic PVA. The experimental RH detection data are analyzed and compared with the RH sensing results reported in previously published work on RH detectors employing sensing layers based on oxidized carbon nanohorns–polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP), oxidized carbon nanohorns–PVA and CNOs–polyvinylpyrrolidone. Full article
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