Ordered responsive materials for sensing applications

Abstract

Detection of small molecules, macromolecules, and biomolecules is of utmost importance for protecting human health and ensuring our well-being. Therefore, a tremendous amount of research goes into the development of novel sensing motifs with increased sensitivity and selectivity to analytes, with very short analysis times, and ease of usability. Of these technologies, 1D, 2D and 3D ordered materials receive a lot of attention due to low cost and visual color change in presence of analytes. These materials were composed of a close packed array of particles or nanocavities, which are capable of interacting with wavelengths of light in the visible region. These interactions lead to constructive and destructive interference of the light in the assembly, resulting in specific wavelengths of light being reflected. Analytes cause shrinking or swelling of these materials and a concomitant change in the critical dimensions of the materials optical components, yielding color changes. This is very convenient, as the naked eye can be used as the “detector”. In this review, we cover many examples of 1D, 2D and 3D ordered materials for sensing applications, ending with examples of other significant sensing technologies.