Chemical Sensors and Their Applications in Environmental Detection

Abstract

Chemical sensors are analytical devices that convert chemical interactions into measurable signals and are increasingly important for environmental detection. They can identify and quantify gases, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, nutrients, pesticides, and other contaminants in air, water, soil, and industrial environments. Advances in nanomaterials, functional polymers, electrochemistry, optical sensing, and microfabrication have enabled sensors that are sensitive, selective, compact, and potentially suitable for real-time monitoring. This paper examines nine major dimensions of chemical sensors in environmental detection, including sensing principles, sensor materials, electrochemical and optical systems, air and water monitoring, soil applications, nanotechnology, sensor networks, limitations, and future sustainable developments.