Electrochemical sensors: basic principles, engineering, and state of the art

• Published in: Monatshefte für Chemie Vol. 154; no. 10; pp. 1083 - 1100
• Main Author: Saputra, Heru Agung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.10.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemical sensors; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Immobilization; Inorganic Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; Performance enhancement; Physical Chemistry; Review; Sensors; State of the art; Theoretical and Computational Chemistry; Electrode surface modification; Receptors; Sensors; Biosensors; Immobilization matrices
• ISSN: 0026-9247; 1434-4475
• DOI: 10.1007/s00706-023-03113-z

Electrochemical sensor technology is an integral part of modern analytical chemistry that has attracted great attention. It is multifaceted and rapidly progressing because of its high demand and continuous technological advancements. Electrochemical sensors offer several advantages over traditional analytical methods, including selectivity, sensitivity, robustness, ease of operation, short-time measurement, portability, low cost, etc. Interestingly, some of such features are possible to engineer toward a better performance improvement by adjusting to the assay needs. This review article comprehensively discusses the components, configuration, and tailoring of electrochemical sensors. The electrode surface modification and its importance in performance enhancement, especially in terms of selectivity and sensitivity, are discussed. The immobilization strategies, their advantages, and limitations, as well as the influential factors in surface engineering, are also highlighted. In addition, state-of-the-art electrochemical sensors either based on the immobilization matrices or recognition elements for a diverse range of target analytes are discussed. Challenges and future aspects are briefly reviewed. The author believes the insights presented here will spark extra efforts to further understand and in turn, develop electrochemical sensors. Graphical abstract