Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in chemical and biochemical sensors: Capabilities and applications

The publications reporting on the use of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in chemical and biochemical sensor designing were reviewed for the recent decade. The capabilities and applications were discussed for nanoparticles based on gold, silver, magnetic and semiconductor materials (quantum dots), lanthanides, and silica compounds, as well as for nanotubes and nanolayers (Langmuir-Blodgett films, selfassembled monolayers) used in optical (absorbance, luminescence, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance), electrochemical, and mass-sensitive sensors. It was shown that the unique capabilities of nanosensors might hold the key to improve the analysis of liquids, gases, and especially biochemical and biological objects in the near future.