Accurate methods that can continuously detect low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H
2O
2) have a huge application potential in biological, pharmaceutical, clinical and environmental analysis. Luminescent probes and nanomaterials are used for fabrication of sensors for H
2O
2
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Accurate methods that can continuously detect low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H
2O
2) have a huge application potential in biological, pharmaceutical, clinical and environmental analysis. Luminescent probes and nanomaterials are used for fabrication of sensors for H
2O
2 that can be applied for these purposes. In contrast to previous reviews focusing on the chemical design of molecular probes for H
2O
2, this mini-review highlights the latest luminescent nanoparticular materials and new luminescent optical sensors for H
2O
2 in terms of the nanomaterial composition and luminescent receptor used in the sensors. The nanomaterial section is subdivided into schemes based on gold nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles with embedded enzymes, probes showing aggregation-induced emission enhancement, quantum dots, lanthanide-based nanoparticles and carbon based nanomaterials, respectively. Moreover, the sensors are ordered according to the type of luminescent receptor used within the sensor membranes. Among them are lanthanide complexes, metal-ligand complexes, oxidic nanoparticles and organic dyes. Further, the optical sensors are confined to those that are capable to monitor the concentration of H
2O
2 in a sample over time or are reusable. Optical sensors responding to gaseous H
2O
2 are not covered. All nanomaterials and sensors are characterized with respect to the analytical reaction towards H
2O
2, limit of detection (LOD), analytical range, electrolyte, pH and response time/incubation time. Applications to real samples are given. Finally, we assess the suitability of the nanomaterials to be used in membrane-based sensors and discuss future trends and perspectives of these sensors in biomedical research.
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