Polymer-Based Optoelectronic Sensors and Detectors

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the development of optoelectronic sensors and detectors has gained significant attention due to their wide range of applications in various fields, including healthcare, environmental monitoring, industrial processes, and security systems. These devices offer several advantages over traditional sensors, such as high sensitivity, fast response, and detection of a broad spectrum of wavelengths. Among the different materials used in the fabrication of optoelectronic sensors and detectors, polymers have emerged as promising candidates due to their unique properties, including tunable optical and electronic characteristics, low cost, lightweight nature, and compatibility with large-area and flexible substrates.

The field of polymer-based optoelectronic sensors and detectors encompasses a broad range of devices designed to detect and measure physical, chemical, or biological parameters using light–matter interactions. The utilization of polymers in these devices opens up new possibilities for the development of advanced sensing platforms that can be tailored to specific applications and requirements. One of the key advantages of polymer-based optoelectronic sensors and detectors is their versatility in sensing modalities. These devices can operate based on various optical principles, including absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, refractive index, and surface plasmon resonance. This diversity allows for the design of sensors and detectors capable of detecting a wide range of analytes, such as gases, ions, biomolecules, pollutants, and even physical parameters such as temperature and strain. Additionally, the use of polymers allows for the integration of sensing elements with other optoelectronic components, such as light sources and photodetectors, on a single platform, leading to miniaturized and multifunctional devices.

The field of polymer-based optoelectronic sensors and detectors is rapidly advancing, driven by ongoing research efforts to improve device performance, enhance material properties, and explore new sensing mechanisms. Significant progress has been made in the development of novel polymer materials with improved charge transport properties, increased photostability, and high chemical and mechanical stability. Additionally, the integration of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanocomposites, into polymer matrices has shown promise in enhancing the sensing capabilities of these devices.

In this Special Issue of the journal Polymers, we aim to present the latest advancements in the field of polymer-based optoelectronic sensors and detectors. We invite researchers from academia and the industry to contribute their original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on various aspects of this rapidly evolving field. The topics of interest include but are not limited to, novel polymer materials for sensor fabrication, innovative device architectures, fabrication techniques, sensing mechanisms, signal processing and data analysis, and applications in diverse fields.

By disseminating state-of-the-art research in polymer-based optoelectronic sensors and detectors, this Special Issue aims to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, stimulate further advancements, and pave the way for the development of next-generation sensing technologies. The contributions to this special issue will provide valuable insights into the design, fabrication, and performance optimization of polymer-based optoelectronic sensors and detectors, contributing to the overall advancement of the field and its practical applications in various industries.

Dr. Muhammad Sulaman
Dr. Yanyan Cui
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• quantum dots
• optoelectronics
• nanocrystals
• nanomaterials
• nanoelectronics
• semiconductor device physics
• material characterization
• thin films and nanotechnology
• thin film deposition
• thin film technology
• thin film fabrication
• nanostructured materials
• nanomaterials synthesis
• optical materials
• photovoltaics
• electrical characterization
• spin coating
• thermal evaporation
• device physics
• nanoparticle synthesis
• solar cells
• LEDs
• materials
• semiconductor nanostructure
• colloidal quantum dots