Advances in electroanalytical sensing of volatile organic compounds towards field-deployable detection

Abstract

This paper is an overview of developments over the 2010–2024 period in electroanalytical sensing techniques for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), providing new perspectives to enhance the real-world applications of these techniques. VOCs constitute the major odorants in nature and urban environments. Their efficient detection carries substantial societal implications from human health monitoring to biological management. Among various detection methods, electroanalytical sensing enables sensitive, selective, on-site VOC detection at room temperature, and is thus emerging as a promising technology for field deployment. This review initially introduces typical sensing cells and the fundamentals of electroanalytical techniques commonly employed in VOC detection, exemplifying their working principles, strengths, and limitations. The discussion then delves into examples of promising electroanalytical VOC sensing systems, focusing on their detection mechanisms and critical system components. Finally, opportunities and challenges towards field deployment of electroanalytical VOC sensing are presented, guiding development efforts for enhanced technology readiness levels.