Symposium FL
Innovations and Green Nanomaterials for Advanced Chemical Sensors and Biosensors
ABSTRACTS
Session FL-1 Chemical and Bio-Sensing Fundamentals and Applications
FL-1:IL01 MIP Nanoparticles Synthesized on the Solid Phase in Mass-sensitive and Electrochemical Assay Formats
P.A. LIEBERZEIT, J. VOELKLE, E. ESGARDT, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty for Chemistry, University of Vienna; and Doctoral School of Chemistry (DoSChem), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Solid-phase synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles has opened up a feasible way to obtain high-affinity biomimetic materials that comprise a single binding site and thus can be regarded true "artificial antibodies". The approach overcomes one of the largest limitations of "classical" radically polymerized MIP, namely limited batch-to-batch reproducibility. This talks will focus on different sensor formats for detecting biomolecules, especially proteins and peptides, such as vancomycin, insulin, and others. It will discuss the binding properties of the respective materials, ways of how to implement them in useful assay formats and the influence of polymerization strategies, i.e. free radical polymerization vs. controlled radical polymerizations as well as possibilities to enhance sensitivity of sensing systems by modifying their surfaces. Furthermore it will demonstrate how epitope imprinting approaches help us to reduce development costs of sensors especially for target proteins that are very expensive to obtain and this no useful templates for molecular imprinting.
FL-1:IL02 Amorphous vs Crystalline: Metal Oxides and Sulphides Interfaces for Environmental Sensors
V. PAOLUCCI, C. CANTALINI, Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L'Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials are at the frontier of gas sensing technologies, offering maximal surface exposure and tunable electronic properties. However, spontaneous oxidation under ambient conditions limits their electrical stability and long-term reproducibility. Remarkably, this behavior, traditionally seen as a limitation, can be exploited to induce a temperature controlled isomorphic conversion to create fully amorphous 2D metal oxides (Layered Amorphous Metal Oxide Sensors-LAMOS) that preserve the original flake morphology. Controlled thermal oxidation of exfoliated 2D precursors, including SnSe2, WS2, In2Se3, and CrCl3, produces stable amorphous flakes that combine the high chemical activity of amorphous oxides with the 2D structural advantages of the parent material. These LAMOS interfaces exhibit enhanced sensitivity, lower detection limits, and reproducible electrical responses to oxidizing and reducing gases, even under varying humidity. By transforming a challenge into an opportunity, this approach defines a versatile platform for next-generation environmental sensors, highlighting the potential of template self-assembled, fully amorphous 2D interfaces for innovative sensing applications.
FL-1:IL03 Rapid Molecular Detection Utilizing Photonic Polymerase Chain Reaction
OH SEOK KWON, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon-si, South Korea
Solid-phase photonic polymerase chain reaction (SP-PCR) is an advanced nucleic acid amplification platform that replaces conventional resistive heating with photothermal energy generated via LED-irradiated gold films. By integrating N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) linkers for stable primer immobilization on the gold surface, SP-PCR ensures high thermal and chemical stability, overcoming the limitations of thiol-based systems. The micro-patterned gold substrate maximizes reaction efficiency by enhancing surface area and heat transfer, enabling ultrafast thermal cycling with low power consumption (1.3 W). This portable, miniaturized chip allows for direct surface-based fluorescence detection without complex instrumentation. Applied to SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection as a demonstration case, SP-PCR achieved rapid and accurate diagnosis, validating its potential as a cost-effective, field-deployable platform for various infectious diseases requiring point-of-care molecular diagnostics.
FL-1:IL04 Paper-based Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors
F. ARDUINI, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Paper-based electrochemical biosensors have emerged as highly attractive analytical tools in the academic and industrial sectors, thanks to their sustainability and advanced analytical features. In this presentation, I report the tipping points in our roadmap for electrochemical paper-based device development, highlighting how the use of paper in electrochemical devices not only provides additional features to the electrochemical devices but has broken down barriers for delivering measurement without i) addition of reagents, ii) sample treatment for liquid, aerosol, and solid samples, and iii) any additional pump for microfluidics. Additionally, I lay out the advantages of using paper for the design of multifarious electrochemical devices, underlining the next steps in the paper-based electrochemical device roadmap.
FL-1:IL04b Materials and Rapid Prototyping Techniques for the development of (Flexible) Sensors
B. ANDÒ, D. GRECO, Department of Electrical Electronic and Information, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for Rapid Prototyping in electronics, including the development of sensors, driven by the needs of various application areas where the use of inexpensive and customized devices is essential. This is crucial in scenarios such as monitoring in harsh environments or the fast development of devices in research laboratories. In contrast to mask-based approaches (such as Screen printing and photolithography), mask-less direct printing methods, like InkJet Printing (IJP), enable the direct deposition of conductive or functional inks onto flexible or rigid substrates, thus avoiding material waste and eliminates the need for time-consuming pre-processing. Notably, IJP is especially beneficial when devices must be realized on shapeable, flexible, and/or transparent substrates. The use of this family of low-cost sensors combined with AI algorithms represents an effective approach to optimize the degree of information carried out by the sensing system. Moreover, such AI algorithms might be deployed in embedded solutions, in line with the edge-computing approach delegating most of the computation effort to local sensing node. The talk will focus on the rapid prototyping of (flexible) devices, through a discussion on materials and enabling technologies.
FL-1:IL05 Multi-Scale Sensor Design and Manufacturing for Healthcare and Environmental Monitoring
A. TRICOLI, Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Miniaturised sensors bear the promise to revolutionise healthcare by providing a wealth of spatio-temporal information on key biomarkers for early-stage detection of diseases, therapeutic efficacy and lifestyle monitoring. Despite their potential, developing effective wearable biomolecular sensors remains challenging as in addition to superior selectivity and sensitivity, they are required to provide effective biocompatibility, biosampling and microfluid handling. Here, we will introduce our recent achievements on the design and integration of functional materials in multi-scale architectures for the effective handling of biofluids and accurate detection of biomarkers down to attomolar concentrations in complex matrices such as human serum and exhaled breath.
FL-1:IL06 Combining Surface Chemistry and Thin Film Technologies for Detection of Fluorescent Dye in Environmental and Agrifood Applications
D. CAPUTO1, N. LOVECCHIO1, G. PETRUCCI1,2, A. NASCETTI2, F. CAPPELLI1, F. COSTANTINI3, 1Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Rome, Italy; 2School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 3Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification (CREA-DC), Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Rome, Italy
Environmental and agri-food applications drive the development of new technologies in chemistry, biology, and engineering. In this context, Lab-on-Chip (LoC) devices are a promising and challenging technology, capable of performing analytical procedures in miniaturized systems. Early LoC devices consisted of microfluidic networks that, by exploiting reduced dimensions, enabled faster reactions and lower sample and reagent use. Recent systems integrate multiple functional modules that replicate laboratory operations such as sample transfer, precise dosing, reagent mixing, DNA extraction, and biomolecule detection.
This talk presents a portable LoC system combining surface chemistry and thin-film technologies for fluorescent dye detection. Surface chemistry enables molecular recognition through polymer brushes and aptamers immobilized in microchannels, while thin-film technology integrates amorphous silicon photosensors and optical filters on a single glass substrate, creating a multifunctional optoelectronic platform. Applications in mycotoxin detection and water pollution monitoring will be presented and discussed.
FL-1:IL07 Application of Gas Sensing for Smart Agritech
J.A. COVINGTON, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
Although biosensing research largely targets human health, agriculture is a critical application area advancing food security and environmental stewardship. For CIMTEC FP-1, we present Agri-tech 2.0 enabled by gas-sensing materials that move analysis from laboratory to field and farm. We focus on the use of a wide range of chemical sensors and approaches for the detection of key chemicals, including NH₃, N2O, CH₄, CO₂, H₂S and plant VOCs (notably ethylene). We discuss field constraints, effects of humidity/temperature variation, dust, cross-sensitivities and drift and approaches applied to gas sensors to solve these challenges including selective filters, temperature/pulse-bias modulation, multisensor arrays with pattern recognition, on-node calibration and replaceable modules. Applications will cover areas of animal health in cows and pigs via biological waste (be it from breath, stool, urine etc.) and barn-air chemistry. In addition, work in-field crop diagnostics and closed-loop control of root-crop storage (potatoes, onions) using ethylene/CO₂ feedback to suppress sprouting and the detection of infection though VOCs. We will also touch on the major contribution agriculture plays in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in soils, and the challenges in measuring these.
FL-1:L08 Plasmonic Detection of Mercury via Amalgamation on Gold Nanorods Coated with PEG-Thiol
YING BAO, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
Gold nanorods (AuNRs) with their plasmonic properties are becoming indispensable in the field of chemical sensing. Owing to the affinity for Hg0 to amalgamate with Au0 there is particular interest in AuNRs for the detection of the mercury ion, Hg2+. This system has previously been explored using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide coated AuNRs (CTAB@AuNRs), with modest success due to interference from CTAB and the general instability of CTAB@AuNRs. This investigation examines the detection of Hg2+ using polyethylene glycol thiol coated AuNRs (PEG-AuNRs). It was first determined that the CTAB could be exchanged for PEG-thiol efficiently and with little effect on the features of the AuNRs. This was confirmed by analysis with 1H NMR, STEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The PEG@AuNRs used in the detection of Hg2+ showed only a moderate increase in sensitivity over CTAB@AuNRs. However, it was discovered that due to the increased stability of the PEG@AuNR the ratio of AuNRs to Hg2+ could be optimized increasing the range and sensitivity of detection. It was also discovered that incubation of the PEG@AuNRs with Hg2+ increased their sensitivity to Hg2+. This was attributed to the preferential liganding of PEG-thiol to Hg2+ over the gold nanorod surface and was verified with 1H NMR, STEM, and HRTEM analyses. This work advances the development of miniaturized plasmonic mercury sensing systems with tunable peak response.
Session FL-2 Enzyme-free Electrochemical Sensors Based on Hybrid Nanostructures
FL-2:IL10 Translational Nano-Biosensing: From Materials Engineering to Point-of-Care Devices
Y. SIVALINGAM, KPR college of Arts Science and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Decentralized diagnostics are vital for early disease detection, personalized care, and real-time monitoring. Yet, translating lab-scale biosensors into practical point-of-care (POC) platforms is limited by complex fabrication, poor biochemical stability, and lack of CMOS-compatible architectures. This talk presents a materials-to-devices roadmap for enzyme-free biosensing using hybrid nanomaterials integrated with extended-gate field-effect transistor (EGFET) platforms. We engineer sensing interfaces using MOFs, transition-metal oxides, and MXenes to achieve high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability under physiological conditions. Demonstrated systems include TiO₂-Cu-MOF electrodes for ascorbic acid detection, phthalocyanine-incorporated Mn-MOF enzyme-mimic structures for sweat sensing, Ni-MOF/MXene hybrids for salivary glucose monitoring, and cellulose-derived electrodes for non-enzymatic glucose sensing. These platforms support non-invasive saliva and sweat biomarker detection, with Kelvin probe studies revealing work-function changes and charge-transfer behavior. The talk outlines scalable synthesis, low-power EGFET integration, and miniaturization for wearables, along with prospects for self-powered and AI-enabled predictive biosensing to advance personalized healthcare.
Session FL-3 Ecofriendly and Natural Dyes for Chemical Sensing
FL-3:IL11 Optical Drug Molecule Detection for Therapy Monitoring - from Organ-on-Chip Systems to Clinical Treatments
P. FÜRJES, D. BERECZKI, A. FÜREDI, Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, HUN-REN Centre of Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary
The concentration of molecular markers and drug agents is a crucial signal of the metabolic or chemical processes of cell and tissue cultures in Organ-on-Chip applications even of the course of a pharmacotherapy in disease treatments. Many small-molecule therapeutics possess inherent autofluorescence, or can be modified to exhibit fluorescence, enabling direct tracking within biological systems. This capability enables real-time drug distribution studies within cells and tissues, assessment of drug uptake and retention, intracellular trafficking and interactions and optimization of drug formulations for improved efficacy. By correlating spectral properties of specific drugs with their cytotoxic responses, a robust framework can be established for fluorescence-assisted drug profiling, enabling pharmacokinetic insights, resistance prediction, and informed therapeutic adjustments. Accordingly, high-performance optical spectroscopy combined with microfluidic sample transport and preparation can be a powerful, in-situ analysis method for continuous monitoring of complex cell culture media or real blood sample and offer unique advantages for real-time therapeutic tracking and optimization. These solutions underscore the translational potential of fluorescence-based therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) methodologies in supporting precision medicine for ultimate personalised disease treatments.
FL-3:IL12 Inspired by Nature: Sustainable Materials for Advanced Chemical Sensing
M. CHELLY, S. CHELLY, S. BEN HAJ FRAJ, G. NERI, Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Nature offers diverse bioactive compounds from terrestrial and aquatic plants, enabling different eco-friendly sensor designs. For example, plant biomolecules act as reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles, whose electrochemical properties are shaped by the molecular richness of the source; including silver nanoparticles based on Saussurea costus roots and sesame seed essential oils for detecting phenolic pollutants in seawater, and gold nanoparticles synthesized from methanolic extracts of Rumex roseus and Rhanterium suaveolens used for sensing dopamine and hydrogen peroxide in complex biological matrices. Interestingly, these green materials offer functional groups for sensing and enhance biodegradability and biocompatibility, essential for wearable medical devices. Beyond electrochemical sensing, specific plant fractions such as Lavandula multifida hydrochar display unique fluorescence properties suitable for heavy metals detection. Spirulina platensis pigments offer a promising insight for iron and riboflavin detection in environmental and biomedical optical sensing, respectively. Overall, these nature-inspired strategies hold strong potential for developing multifunctional sensors rooted in the chemical richness of green resources.
Session FL-4 Heterostructures-based Sensors for Environmental and Biomedical Applications
FL-4:IL13 Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized with Peptide Biosensors for Cancer Diagnosis
C. MÉNARD-MOYON, CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
Thanks to their remarkable physicochemical properties, the biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes have been widely explored. The functionalization of their surface is crucial to increase their dispersibility and biocompatibility, conjugate bioactive molecules and impart multimodality. One of the fundamental characteristics of cancer is the deregulation of cell proliferation mechanisms, associated with gene amplification, overexpression or hyperactivation of various cell cycle regulators. The hyperactivation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) contributes to cell proliferation in several human cancers. Given their role in the coordination of cell division and their prognostic value, these enzymes constitute pharmacological targets of choice for the development of anticancer therapies. In this talk, I will present the conjugation of an environmentally-sensitive fluorescent peptide biosensor on the nanotube surface for fluorescence-based detection and quantification of CDK1 activity in vitro, in living cells, and in vivo. Since alterations in CDK/cyclin activity have been reported in a wide variety of cancers and associated with negative prognosis, this technology should provide a direct means of probing hyperactivation of CDKs and of guiding therapeutic intervention/decision.
FL-4:IL14 Metal Oxide Nanostructures for a Sustainable Future
E. COMINI, F. RIGONI, D. ZAPPA, A. LUGLI, S. BOTTICINI, I. ABBAS, M. BORSI, M. PONZONI, H. PAKDEL, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
Metal oxides are versatile functional materials widely employed in sustainable technologies thanks to their chemical stability, tunable electronic properties, and compatibility with miniaturized systems. In chemical sensing, they act as highly sensitive and selective materials capable of detecting a broad range of gases and biomolecules—an essential feature for real-time monitoring in lab-on-a-chip platforms and point-of-care diagnostic devices. These applications benefit from the inherent advantages of metal oxide-based sensors, including miniaturization, low power consumption, and rapid response times. Beyond sensing, metal oxides such as NiO, ZnO, and CeO₂-based composites play a pivotal role in advancing next-generation energy conversion systems, particularly Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). Serving as catalysts and electrode materials, they facilitate efficient electrochemical reactions, thus enabling clean energy generation from hydrogen or bio-derived fuels. Integrating these materials into multifunctional architectures bridges the gap between sensing and energy technologies, paving the way for self-powered diagnostic tools and compact, eco-friendly devices. From a sustainability standpoint, metal oxides offer high availability, recyclability, and compatibility with low-temperature fabrication methods, making them ideal candidates for scalable, green technologies that align with circular economy goals and carbon neutrality strategies. We will explore the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of chemical sensors and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) using nanostructured materials.
FL-4:IL15 Hybrid Porphyrin-metal Oxide Nanostructures for Sensing Applications
G. MAGNA1, R. PAOLESSE1, C. DI NATALE2, 1Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 2Department of Electronic Engineering, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Hybrid porphyrin–metal-oxide nanostructures merge the rich coordination/optical chemistry of porphyrins with the high surface area and electronic transduction of metal-oxide semiconductors, producing tailored interfaces for chemical sensing. Porphyrin functionalization of ZnO and other oxides enhances sensitivity, selectivity, and photo-modulation of gas and vapor responses via charge-transfer, catalytic, and supramolecular interactions. We explore diverse integration strategies that comprise grafting, co-assembly, and core–shell architectures to improve layer stability and enable multimodal readouts (optical, chemiresistive, QMB). At the same time, the light activation provides an additional tool for response tuning (along with selectivity improvement). These materials can be conveniently utilized as selective gas sensors or in electronic nose platforms for VOCs detection, chiral/enantiomeric discrimination, and wearable sensors for food and health applications. Design rules linking porphyrin structure, oxide morphology, and transduction pathway are proposed to guide future sensor development.
FL-4:IL16 Surface Modification Techniques in Chemiresistive Gas Sensing
HYOUN WOO KIM1, SANG SUB KIM2, 1Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; 2Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Inha University, South Korea
In the IoT era, where trillions of sensors silently shape our connected world, gas sensors stand as one of the most dynamic fields of innovation—now encompassing nearly twenty distinct types. Among them, resistive-type gas sensors have drawn particular attention. Yet, to meet the demands of modern applications, they must achieve remarkable selectivity toward target gases, long-term stability, humidity tolerance, and temperature independence. Our research has revealed that the surface—the delicate interface between material and molecule—is the true stage upon which sensing performance is determined. We have thus focused on refining this surface through a spectrum of advanced techniques. Various beam irradiations—electron, helium ion, xenon ion, proton, and laser—have been employed to tailor surface microstructures and introduce controlled defects, thereby amplifying sensitivity and responsiveness. Moreover, we have explored impurity doping to subtly adjust surface energy landscapes, and the incorporation of catalytic metals to fine-tune chemical interactions, granting selective recognition of specific gases. Catalysts are now being anchored with greater sophistication onto diverse matrices, including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Functional layers such as reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are integrated to form heterostructures that regulate carrier dynamics, while amorphous carbon coatings delicately influence the underlying sensor behavior. Through such elegant manipulations of matter at the nanoscale, we approach the vision of intelligent sensors—responsive, stable, and discerning—worthy of the IoT age.
FL-4:IL17 TiO2-based Thin Film Heterostructures for Green Hydrogen Generation and Gas Detection
K. ZAKRZEWSKA, Integrated Laboratory of Sensor Nanostructures, Institute of Electronics, Faculty of Computer Science, Electronics and Telecommunications, AGH University of Krakow, Krakow, Poland
TiO2 can be treated as a model material for many applications especially in gas sensing, photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry. Its exceptional properties such as high photocatalytic activity, good chemical stability and nontoxicity are inevitably contrasted with two major drawbacks, i.e., too large a band gap and too fast recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers. Numerous attempts to solve these problems concentrate on doping, defect-engineering, heterostructure formation and light harvesting. The recent issues of black/blue titania and rare earth incorporation with their impact on the green hydrogen generation by water splitting and gas detection will be discussed. Special emphasis will be put on the properties of thin film heterostructures, their microstructure and architecture and their influence on the low temperature gas sensing. Detection of gases by metal oxide resistive-type gas sensors at close to room-temperature is possible upon light activation. In fact, mechanisms governing light-activated gas sensors show quite deep resemblance to the processes taking place in photocatalysis.Interaction with light will be summarized including a non-linear up-conversion effect.
The NCN project 2023/51/B/ST8/02013 is acknowledged.
FL-4:IL18 Vapour Deposited Heterostructured Nanomaterials for Environmental Gas Sensing
S. VALLEJOS, Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
Heterostructured materials offer significant advantages for solid-state gas sensors owing to their unique interfacial properties and the synergistic interactions between distinct components. In such systems, the combination of materials with different electronic structures and surface chemistries leads to the formation of junctions that promote charge separation and transport while increasing the density of active sites. These effects collectively enhance sensor sensitivity, selectivity, response kinetics, and stability under variable environmental conditions. In our group, these heterostructures — typically composed of nanostructured metal oxides (e.g., WO₃, ZnO, SnO₂), noble metals (e.g., Au, Pt, Pd), or organo-functional molecules (e.g., APTES) — are synthesized via vapor-phase methods and integrated into microsensors designed to operate under thermal or photo activated modes. Recently, such microsensors have been evaluated in diverse environments for monitoring plant stress and detecting the early onset of wildfires, demonstrating promising performance. This presentation will outline the underlying sensor technology, discuss key material properties, and highlight their performance across these application scenarios.
FL-4:IL18b Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Synthetic Antibodies for Medical Diagnostics and Therapy
K. HAUPT, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, France; and Institut Universitaire de France
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) [1] are synthetic antibodies that specifically recognize molecular targets. They are cross-linked polymers synthesized in the presence of a molecular template, which induces three-dimensional binding sites in the polymer that are complementary to the template in size, shape and chemical functionality. MIPs against proteins are obtained through a rational approach starting with in silico epitope design. Chemically synthesized peptide epitopes can then be used as templates in a solid-phase protocol for MIP synthesis [2,3]. We demonstrate the potential of MIP nanogels (~50 nm) for medical diagnostics [3], bioimaging [4] and medical therapy [4,5], on the example of cell surface protein targets [4], as well as soluble cytokines and biomarkers [3,5].
[1] K. Haupt, P.X. Medina Rangel, B. Tse Sum Bui, Chem. Rev. 2020, 120, 9554-9582. [2] B. Tse Sum Bui, A. Mier, K. Haupt, Small 2023, 19, 2206453. [3] A. Mier, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 20849-20857. [4] P.X. Medina Rangel et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 2816-2822. [5] C. Herrera León, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202306274.
Session FL-5 Innovations in Sustainable Materials for Chemical Sensing
FL-5:IL19 Nature’s Toolkit for Sensing
V. PATAMIA1, A. FERLAZZO2, E. SACCULLO1, V. PISTARÀ1, A. GULINO2, A. RESCIFINA1, G. FLORESTA1, 1Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 2Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
The research group focuses on developing sustainable, multi-applicable hybrid materials for advanced electrochemical detection, emphasizing eco-friendly components and synthesis. The work began with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The initial success was with HNTs-kojic acid composites, used for in situ monitoring of iron oxidation (corrosion detection), successfully reducing the corrosion rate. This was followed by the high-performance HNTs-kojic acid/ biosensor (HNTK-Cu) for dopamine detection (LOD: 68 nM) in complex matrices, demonstrating high sensitivity. The latest innovation is a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for bisphenol A (LOD: 22 nM), developed via a green synthesis process utilizing HNTs and eco-compatible solvents. A separate development is a novel, eco-biocompatible biosensor for uric acid (LOD: 25 nM). This platform uses sodium alginate (a natural biopolymer) functionalized with a xanthine derivative. The preparation is entirely sustainable, employing only water as a solvent, and exploiting the xanthine for chelation. This progression clearly defines a new generation of advanced chemical and biosensors, moving from natural base materials to highly performant systems through increasingly sustainable methodologies for critical monitoring and diagnostics.
FL-5:IL21 From Agro-Industrial Residues to Green Nanocomposite Sensors: Cellulose-Based Materials for Electrochemical Detection of Environmental Pollutants
J. BELHAJ, R. ZRIBI, V. BRESSI, R. KHIARI, C. ESPRO, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
The valorization of agro-industrial residues represents a sustainable approach for developing green nanomaterials suitable for environmental sensing. In this work, cellulose was extracted from olive residues and beer bagasse through sequential delignification and bleaching using eco-friendly reagents in line with green chemistry principles. The obtained cellulose was characterized by spectroscopic, thermal, and morphological analyses, confirming its high purity and structural integrity. Subsequently, cellulose was functionalized with zinc oxide nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to obtain hybrid nanocomposites (ASCell/ZnO@MWCNTs) for electrochemical sensing. Preliminary tests for the detection of antibiotics, using tetracycline as a model pollutant, showed promising electrochemical responses depending on the composite formulation. The presentation will illustrate the synthesis strategy, material characterization, and the performance of the most efficient systems, emphasizing the potential of biomass-derived cellulose for sustainable and high-performance electrochemical sensors.
FL-5:L22 Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs) as Filter Layers for Selective H2 Sensing
D. BAIER, S. VOTH, M. TIEMANN, Paderborn University, Department of Chemistry, Paderborn, Germany
We present a straightforward methodology for constructing selective H2 gas sensors using bilayer structures composed of indium-modified tin oxide (In-SnO2) and zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) molecular sieve overlayers. The sensor fabrication involves dip-coating In-SnO2 on a silicon wafer, followed by deposition of a ZnO layer. The ZnO is then converted in-situ to microporous ZIF-8 or ZIF-71 filter layers. Comprehensive structural characterization confirms smooth, crack-free morphology, precise layer thickness control, and homogeneous elemental distribution. The resulting bilayer devices exhibit size-selective sensing characteristics: optimal ZIF-71 layer thickness (57 nm) enhances H2 response while suppressing interference from carbon monoxide (CO) even at elevated concentrations, due to molecular sieving based on kinetic diameters. Thicker ZIF-71 layers further block CO but substantially decrease sensor response speed. Sensing experiments across varying humidity and gas concentrations demonstrate strong selectivity for H2, low cross-sensitivity to water, and suppression of CO interference. The approach enables reliable H2 detection for safety-critical applications in energy systems and fuel cell technology, with future work aimed at further improving sensor kinetics, potentially through light-activation of the transparent bilayer architecture.
Session FL-6 AI-enhanced Sensing Technologies: Transforming Sensor Capabilities
FL-6:IL24 From Materials to Diagnostic Sensor Instrumentation: The Bumpy Road of Transforming Sensor Science toward Certified Medical Technology in Europe
J. ERIKSSON, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden and VOC Diagnostics AB, LEAD Linköping AB Teknikringen, Linköping, Sweden; I. SHTEPLIUK, L. MENG, D. PUGLISI, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
Even as global cancer mortality declines, millions continue to die each year in part because “silent killers” like ovarian cancer (OC) reveal themselves only in the shadows of advanced disease. More than 60% of OC cases are diagnosed in stage III or IV—after metastasis—when survival prospects are drastically reduced, and the absence of viable screening methods keeps early intervention out of reach. We present an AI-powered, reagent-free diagnostic technology that detects OC from a ten-minute blood analysis with 100% accuracy (124 OC, 161 healthy controls). The system employs an electronic nose that captures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from plasma. Thirty-two gas sensors generate 192,000 data points per sample, which AI-based classifiers interpret to determine health status, cancer presence, type, and stage. By shining a light on these killers while they are still shadows, our platform aims to uncover disease before it metastasizes. The talk will highlight both the expansion toward other cancers and the translational path from fundamental sensor science and clinical application toward certified medical technology in Europe.
FL-6:IL25 AI-Enhanced Electronic Nose for Intelligent Odor Sensing in Meat Quality Assessment
D. PUGLISI1, V. ALMQVIST2, A.H. KAUTTO2, J. ERIKSSON1, S. BOQVIST2, I. SHTEPLIUK1, 1Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; 2Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
Ensuring objective and reliable post-mortem meat inspection is critical for food safety and quality assurance. This work introduces an AI-enhanced gas sensing approach that integrates an electronic nose with machine learning (ML) to transform sensor capabilities in meat inspection. A 32-element metal-oxide gas sensor array was used to analyze odor profiles from 100 pig meat samples, including fresh, urine-contaminated, and aged categories. Using an Optimizable Ensemble ML model, the system achieved 96.5% sensitivity, 95.3% specificity, and a Kappa coefficient of 0.926, demonstrating near-perfect predictive accuracy. The model also identified meat aging from 1 to 31 days with 93.5% accuracy. By converting complex sensor signals into actionable data, the method highlights how AI/ML integration enhances chemoresistive sensor performance, providing robust, simple, and fast diagnostics. This approach underscores the potential of AI-driven sensing technologies to revolutionize quality control and inspection processes across the food and other industries where odor detection is critical.
FL-6:IL26 Virtual Sensor Arrays for Liquid Analysis
A. RUDNITSKAYA, Chemistry Dept. and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
The term “virtual sensors” is relatively new in the field of chemical sensor arrays. Originally demonstrated for gas sensors, a virtual sensor array consists of one or a few sensing elements whose affinity properties are modulated by operational parameters such as temperature, illumination, or applied potential. When applied to liquid sensing, multidimensional responses can be generated using techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Among transduction methods, EIS is particularly powerful for probing interactions at the sample - electrode interface. The use of complete impedance spectra combined with chemometric data analysis gave rise to the concept of a one-sensor impedimetric tongue. The concept of impedimetric virtual arrays for liquid analysis is illustrated by their application to the detection of marine toxins and acrylamide. The first application involves an enzymatic impedimetric tongue for paralytic shellfish toxins, where EIS combined with a carbamoylase assay tracks enzyme conformational changes and its adsorption on the electrode surface. The second targets acrylamide, detected through its specific adsorption on screen-printed carbon nanotube electrodes.