Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review

Abstract Developing efficient sensing materials with superior sensing capabilities of sensitive, fast, selective detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is necessary for fields like environmental gas monitoring and non-invasive disease diagnosis. Recently, carbon nanotubes, graphene, MXene, and other carbon-based nanomaterials have been paid much attention for possible use as high-performance VOCs sensing materials due to unique physical structures and excellent electric properties. The tunability of the chemical character and surface properties of the carbon-based nanomaterials increases their potential in constructing selective sensors targeting VOCs gases. Besides, the mechanical flexibility of the carbon-based nanomaterials allows the new designs of gas sensing platforms and puts the carbon-based nanomaterials at the forefront of other sensing materials for wearable applications. In this review, we highlight the most recent progress of the carbon-based nanomaterials in the detection of VOCs gases with an emphasis on the available strategies for the construction of these VOCs gas sensors. These strategies are proved by addressing some representative paradigms, and their suitability in applications like environmental gas monitoring and non-invasive disease diagnosis is assessed. This review is intended to offer timely sources of information and provide insight for future research works on designing high-performance VOCs gas sensors by utilizing carbon-based materials.