Feature Papers in the Section "Analytical Methods, Instrumentation and Miniaturization"

A special issue of Chemosensors (ISSN 2227-9040). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Methods, Instrumentation and Miniaturization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 June 2025 | Viewed by 6863

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Materials Research and Education Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341, USA
Interests: sensors including physical, chemical, and biological sensors for engineering and agriculture, actuators and actuation materials; functional materials including electromechanical, magneto-mechanical, and chemo-mechanical ceramics, alloys, and polymers

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Guest Editor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
Interests: biosensors; electrochemical sensors; wearable sensors; implantable sensors
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced analytical methods and instrumentations enable chemical sensors to quantitatively measure different species of interest. In recent years, the miniaturization of chemical sensors has been a research focus to significantly reduce the size, mass, and cost of the sensors and increase their performance, driven by the needs in real-world applications including wearable electronics, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental monitoring, and engineering devices/systems. 

This Special Issue covers all areas in analytical methods, instrumentation, and miniaturization related to the development of high-performance chemical sensors. We invite you to contribute an original research article, review article, or perspective article on a trending or hot topic for peer review and possible publication. All papers in this Special Issue will be collected into a well-promoted printed edition book. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Chemical analytical methods and instrumentation;
  • Bioanalytical methods and instrumentation;
  • Optical methods and instrumentation for chemical sensors and biosensors;
  • Surface and interface analysis;
  • Analytical methods and instrumentation for nanotechnology;
  • Miniaturized sensors and systems;
  • Flexible sensors and systems;
  • Nanosensors;
  • Methodologies to enhance the performance of sensors.

Prof. Dr. ZhongYang (Z.-Y.) Cheng
Dr. Wen Shen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • chemical sensors
  • biosensors
  • analytical methods
  • instrumentation
  • miniaturization

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2454 KiB  
Communication
Seasonal Variations and Structure-Specific Phytochemical Profiles of Glochidion chodoense
by Nari Yoon, Jajung Ku, Yang-Ho Kang and Sanghyun Lee
Chemosensors 2025, 13(4), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13040116 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 122
Abstract
Glochidion chodoense, a rare and endangered plant endemic to Republic of Korea, is known for containing a wide variety of phytochemicals, including triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids. This study sought to profile the phytochemical composition of the leaves and branches of G. chodoense [...] Read more.
Glochidion chodoense, a rare and endangered plant endemic to Republic of Korea, is known for containing a wide variety of phytochemicals, including triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids. This study sought to profile the phytochemical composition of the leaves and branches of G. chodoense harvested during three different periods (May, July, and October 2023) using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection (HPLC/PDA). Plant materials were harvested, authenticated, and subjected to ethanol extraction prior to chemical analysis. LC-ESI/MS and quantitative HPLC/PDA analyses were conducted to identify and quantify nine key phytochemicals: norbergenin (1), bergenin (2), epigallocatechin (3), ethyl gallate (4), orientin (5), epicatechin gallate (6), isovitexin 2″-O-arabinoside (7), ellagic acid (8), and cynaroside (9). Our findings revealed significant seasonal variations in major phytochemicals, with leaves containing higher concentrations than branches. Notably, bergenin (2) showed the highest content in May leaves (43.42 mg/g extract), followed by October (17.60 mg/g extract) and July branches (8.56 mg/g extract). Ethyl gallate (4), which was absent or present in trace amounts in branches, was abundant in leaves, with concentrations of 22.24 mg/g extract in October, 21.75 mg/g extract in May, and 17.48 mg/g extract in July. A similar trend was observed for norbergenin (1). These findings provide valuable insights into the phytochemical composition of G. chodoense, emphasizing its potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods, while highlighting the critical importance of conserving this endangered species. Full article
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13 pages, 1786 KiB  
Article
Method Validation and Determination of Ametryn Pesticide in Water Samples by QuEChERS-GC-MS
by Luis Felipe Lima Guimarães, Maria Zillene Franklin da Silva, Ronaldo Ferreira do Nascimento and Daniel Barbosa Alcântara
Chemosensors 2025, 13(3), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13030103 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 271
Abstract
This study developed an analytical method to monitor pesticide residues in water, ensuring compliance with maximum limits and protecting human health. While the QuEChERS method is commonly used for food matrices, its application to aqueous samples has been limited. This research aims to [...] Read more.
This study developed an analytical method to monitor pesticide residues in water, ensuring compliance with maximum limits and protecting human health. While the QuEChERS method is commonly used for food matrices, its application to aqueous samples has been limited. This research aims to extend its use to water matrices by optimizing and validating chromatographic conditions for detecting Ametryn using GC-MS. Calibration curves for both the solvent and matrix extracts demonstrated satisfactory linearity. Significant matrix effects were observed, influencing the signal intensity. Detection and quantification limits were determined, with a higher sensitivity in the matrix. Precision (RSD%) and accuracy (recovery tests) met acceptable standards. Although Ametryn was not detected in the real water samples, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, a possible degradation byproduct of pentachlorophenol, was found. This study advances pesticide detection methods, addressing key factors like selectivity, linearity, and matrix effects, while providing insights into degradation byproduct detection and pesticide contamination in water sources. Full article
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20 pages, 3584 KiB  
Article
Determination of the Critical Micelle Concentration of Gelatin, ι-Carrageenan, Pectin, Gellan Gum and Xanthan Gum by Mid Infrared Spectroscopy Among Other Techniques
by Joel Henri Konan Kouakou Koko, Vama Etienne Tia, Gaoussou Karamoko and Romdhane Karoui
Chemosensors 2025, 13(3), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13030099 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 279
Abstract
Critical micelle concentration (CMC) is the main physico-chemical parameter to be determined for surfactants due to its impact on surface activity and self-assembled aggregation. The aim of the present study is to determine CMC at 40 °C of gelatin, ι-carrageenan, pectin, gellan gum [...] Read more.
Critical micelle concentration (CMC) is the main physico-chemical parameter to be determined for surfactants due to its impact on surface activity and self-assembled aggregation. The aim of the present study is to determine CMC at 40 °C of gelatin, ι-carrageenan, pectin, gellan gum and xanthan gum by using different analytical techniques, particularly mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy as a rapid technique. The CMC values obtained for each hydrocolloid were relatively identical regardless of the applied technique: rheometer, conductimetry and automatic drop tensiometer (tracker). Indeed, CMC values of 55.16 g/L, 14 g/L, 6.04 g/L, 7 g/L and 3.48 g/L were obtained, respectively, for gelatin, ι-carrageenan, pectin, gellan gum and xanthan gum by using the surface tension method (tracker). Similar results were obtained for MIR spectroscopy since CMC values of 70 g/L, 15 g/L, 7 g/L, 5 g/L and 6 g/L were observed, respectively, for gelatin, ι-carrageenan, pectin, gellan gum and xanthan gum. The results presented here clearly demonstrate that it is possible to use MIR spectroscopy as a rapid analytical technique for the CMC determination of the investigated hydrocolloids. Full article
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15 pages, 4372 KiB  
Article
Rapid Correction of Turbidity Interference on Chemical Oxygen Demand Measurements by Using Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrometry
by Shihan Shan, Yihuan Ji, Hanjing Deng, Zhuohui Wu, Tinglong Yang and Xiaoping Wang
Chemosensors 2024, 12(12), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12120247 - 24 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1094
Abstract
We developed a simple, rapid, and high-precision method to compensate for the turbidity interference in the measurement of water parameters using ultraviolet-visible spectrometry. By combining direct orthogonal signal correction (DOSC) with partial least squares (PLS), we corrected the full spectra (220 nm to [...] Read more.
We developed a simple, rapid, and high-precision method to compensate for the turbidity interference in the measurement of water parameters using ultraviolet-visible spectrometry. By combining direct orthogonal signal correction (DOSC) with partial least squares (PLS), we corrected the full spectra (220 nm to 600 nm), significantly enhancing the accuracy of the water parameter calculations. First, DOSC was applied to filter out turbidity-related components, retaining only the spectral elements most closely associated with the target substance, without requiring a standard baseline for the turbidity effect. Then, 13 wavelengths were selected from the corrected full spectra to construct the discrete absorption spectra. Further, a PLS regression model was established based on the corrected discrete absorption spectra and their corresponding concentrations. In our experiment, this method effectively eliminated the blue shift and peak height reduction caused by turbidity, especially in shorter wavelengths, which are more sensitive to interference. Moreover, when applied to new samples, the correlation coefficients (R2) between the predicted and actual values improved from 0.5455 to 0.9997, and the root mean square error (RMSE) decreased from 12.3604 to 0.2295 after correction. Overall, the DOSC-PLS method, together with ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, posed a great potential for the precise monitoring of target water parameters in field studies. Full article
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12 pages, 816 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Solid Formulates Using UV-Visible Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy with Multivariate Data Processing Based on Net Analyte Signal and Standard Additions Method
by Nicholas Kassouf, Alessandro Zappi, Michela Monticelli and Dora Melucci
Chemosensors 2024, 12(11), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12110227 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1681
Abstract
Quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing necessitates rigorous testing and approval, adhering to Current Good Manufacturing Practices before commercialization. The production of solid drugs presents significant industrial challenges regarding uniformity, homogeneity, and consistency. Traditional quality guidelines rely on classical analytical methods such as liquid [...] Read more.
Quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing necessitates rigorous testing and approval, adhering to Current Good Manufacturing Practices before commercialization. The production of solid drugs presents significant industrial challenges regarding uniformity, homogeneity, and consistency. Traditional quality guidelines rely on classical analytical methods such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. However, the emergence of Process Analytical Technology introduced non-destructive, rapid, and cost-effective methods like UV-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy. The present study aimed to develop a chemometric method for quantifying Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in Neo Nisidine®, a solid mixture drug, using spectrophotometric data. The Net Analyte Signal (NAS) method, combined with standard additions, allowed the creation of a pseudo-univariate standard addition model, overcoming some challenges in solid-phase analysis. Successful quantifications of APIs in ideal laboratory samples and real pharmaceutical tablets were obtained. NAS-based chemometric models showed high precision and reliability, whose results were validated by comparisons with HPLC ones. The study revealed that solid-phase spectrophotometric analyses can be considered a valid alternative to API analyses. Solid-phase analysis offers non-destructive, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly benefits, enabling its integration into pharmaceutical production to improve quality control. Full article
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10 pages, 1926 KiB  
Communication
Construction of a Miniaturized Detector for Flow Injection Spectrophotometric Analysis
by T. Alexandra Ferreira, Mario Ordaz, Jose A. Rodriguez, M. Elena Paez-Hernandez and Evelin Gutierrez
Chemosensors 2024, 12(10), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12100216 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 876
Abstract
Analytical instrumentation is essential for chemical analysis in many fields, including biology and chemistry, but it can be costly and inaccessible to many educational institutions because it often requires expensive and sophisticated equipment. To address this issue, there has been growing interest in [...] Read more.
Analytical instrumentation is essential for chemical analysis in many fields, including biology and chemistry, but it can be costly and inaccessible to many educational institutions because it often requires expensive and sophisticated equipment. To address this issue, there has been growing interest in developing new and accessible alternatives. In this study, we developed a low-cost and user-friendly spectrophotometric detector based on an Arduino UNO platform. This detector was coupled with a flow injection analysis system (FIA) and used to quantify the concentration of tartrazine in commercial beverages and candy samples. The proposed miniaturized detector offers an affordable and portable alternative to conventional spectrophotometers. We evaluated the performance of our detector by comparing its results with those obtained using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD), and the accuracy and precision were comparable. The results demonstrate the potential of the Arduino-based spectrophotometric detector as a cost-effective and accessible tool, with potential applications in food science, environmental monitoring, and other fields. Full article
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Graphical abstract

19 pages, 2523 KiB  
Article
Development of an Online Instrument for Continuous Gaseous PAH Quantification: Laboratory Evaluation and Comparison with The Offline Reference UHPLC-Fluorescence Method
by Joana Vaz-Ramos, Mathilde Mascles, Anaïs Becker, Damien Bourgain, Audrey Grandjean, Sylvie Bégin-Colin, Franck Amiet, Damien Bazin and Stéphane Le Calvé
Chemosensors 2023, 11(9), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11090496 - 9 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1734
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants formed during incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic material. The reliable quantification of PAH in airborne samples is still difficult, costly, and time-consuming due to the use of offline techniques, including long sampling on filters/adsorbents, [...] Read more.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants formed during incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic material. The reliable quantification of PAH in airborne samples is still difficult, costly, and time-consuming due to the use of offline techniques, including long sampling on filters/adsorbents, laboratory extraction, purification, and concentration steps before analysis. To tackle these drawbacks, this work focused on the development of a fully automatic gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID) and a sample preconcentration unit (PC) for gas sampling. This instrument was validated under laboratory-controlled conditions in the range 0–10 ng for 18 PAH. The chromatographic separation was rather satisfactory except for two PAH pairs, which were quantified together. For all compounds, the peak areas increased perfectly with the gaseous PAH concentration (R2 > 0.98), without any significant memory effect between two consecutive analyses. Considering a gaseous sample volume of 1 L, the extrapolated limits of detections (LOD) were in the range 19.9–62.6 ng/m3, depending on the PAH. Its analytical performances were then compared to those of the offline reference UHPLC-fluorescence method, widely used for airborne PAH monitoring. This was also compared with the very few portable or continuously operating instruments. Full article
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