Nanostructure Material-Based Sensors for Environmental Applications

Abstract

Sensors and sensing systems are paving way for the Internet of things (IoT). Interconnectivity of sensors is aiding the capture of information on a real-time basis, thus aiding the decision support system. Specifically, in agricultural, industrial, food, commercial, military, biological, and many other sectors, sensors are playing an important role. Present-day sensors are built on micro-sized sensing particles and are also cost-effective. One major advantage of a micro-sized sensor is the availability of high surface area and a good surface-to-volume ratio. They also are capable of detecting lower concentration molecules at the PPM/PPB level. Different types of nanomaterials are being studied mainly for reusability and low-temperature sensing. 1D and zero-dimensional nanostructures are mainly used along with different nanomaterials like metal oxides, conducting polymers, ceramics, semiconductors, optical materials, etc. Different types of sensors are being used for different applications like gas sensors, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, environmental sensors for monitoring, biosensors, etc. All these sensors are synthesized by various methods, both wet chemical methods and physical methods. The present chapter deals with all the abovementioned facts with a brief comparison of the performance criteria.