A REVIEW OF RECENT ADVANCES IN NANO-ELECTRONICS FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE SENSING MATERIALS, ARCHITECTURES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Sarmad Hamad Ibrahim Alfarag

doi:10.61796/ijmi.v3i2.442

Authors

Sarmad Hamad Ibrahim Alfarag
[email protected]
Wasit University, Iraq

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): International Journal Multidisciplinary (IJMI)

Articles

January 23, 2026

Downloads

VIEW ARTICLE

Abstract
How to Cite
Metrics
References
License

Objective: Nano-electronic sensors are rapidly developing as the enabling technologies of next-generation systems in the Internet of Things (IoT), biomedical diagnostics, environmental measurements, artificial intelligence (AI) computing devices and personalized electronics. This review gives a system-level and a comparative view on the nano-electronic sensors, and better informs the researchers and the industry interested in ensuring such nano-electronic sensors go beyond being mere demonstrations in the lab to working systems with commercial potential. Method: This review is a synthesis of recent innovations in the materials; device designs and fabrication technology form a coherent whole when it comes to defining high performance nano-electronic sensing. The most important material families among which graphene and transition metal chalcogenides, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal oxides such as ZnO and SnO2, and silicon nanowires are considered most importantly with regards to their band structure, charge transport behavior, surface functionalization and sensing mechanisms. The review also notes there is architectural development in the conventional resistive sensors to the FET based sensing platforms, networks of nanowires and nanotubes, and the emerging memristive and neuromorphic sensors scalable fabrication methods of CVD growth, atomic layer deposition (ALD), and heterogeneous integration. Results: Trends in cross-technology show there has been a definite shift to device scaling, ultra-low-energy consumption, and reliability conscious design as sensing platforms are brought even closer to actual deployment. They are persistent problems such as drift, hysteresis, variability of devices, and degradation in the environment that are cited as the main bottlenecks to commercialization. Novelty: Lastly, the review finds strategic future directions such as AI-assisted sensor design, hybrid and flexible sensing platforms, self-powered operation and edge-AI, which will be highlighted.

Alfarag, S. H. I. (2026). A REVIEW OF RECENT ADVANCES IN NANO-ELECTRONICS FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE SENSING MATERIALS, ARCHITECTURES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS. International Journal Multidisciplinary (IJMI), 3(2), 222–234. https://doi.org/10.61796/ijmi.v3i2.442

Download Citation

I.-U.-H. Inam-Ul-Haq, W. Abbas, and W. H. Butt, “Systematic literature review on requirement management tools,” in 2022 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Smart Technologies (ICETST), 2022, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/ICETST55735.2022.9922932.

T. Wasilewski, W. Kamysz, and J. Gębicki, “AI-assisted detection of biomarkers by sensors and biosensors for early diagnosis and monitoring,” Biosensors, vol. 14, no. 7, p. 356, 2024, doi: 10.3390/bios14070356.

R. Abdel-Karim, “Advanced approaches in micro- and nano-sensors for harsh environmental applications: A review,” in Modern Nanotechnology, 2023, pp. 585–612. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31111-6_23.

J. Ma, S. Yang, Z. Yang, Z. He, and Z. Du, “Functional nanomaterials for advanced bioelectrode interfaces: Recent advances in disease detection and metabolic monitoring,” Sensors, vol. 25, no. 14, p. 4412, 2025, doi: 10.3390/s25144412.

L. Motiei and D. Margulies, “Molecules that generate fingerprints: A new class of fluorescent sensors for chemical biology, medical diagnosis, and cryptography,” Acc. Chem. Res., vol. 56, no. 13, pp. 1803–1814, 2023, doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00162.

Y. Hu et al., “Vision-based multimodal interfaces: A survey and taxonomy for enhanced context-aware system design,” in Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 2025, pp. 1–31. doi: 10.1145/3706598.3714161.

V. Merupo et al., “Inorganic nanoparticles: Properties and applications,” in Nanochemistry, 2023, pp. 33–65. doi: 10.1201/9781003081944-3.

D. Jana et al., “Two-dimensional materials as a multiproperty sensing platform,” Adv. Funct. Mater., 2025, doi: 10.1002/adfm.202516728.

C. Anichini and P. Samorì, “Graphene-based hybrid functional materials,” Small, vol. 17, no. 33, 2021, doi: 10.1002/smll.202100514.

F. Schedin et al., “Detection of individual gas molecules adsorbed on graphene,” Nat. Mater., vol. 22, no. 8, pp. 376–384, 2007, doi: 10.1038/s41563-022-01455-6.

A. Ali, M. A. Khan, J. H. Kim, and J. H. Lee, “Two-dimensional heterostructure-based gas sensors: Interface engineering and performance optimization,” Sensors, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 412–428, 2025, doi: 10.3390/s25030412.

P. Recum, M. Lang, and G. Faglia, “Graphene-based chemiresistive gas sensors: From fundamentals to applications,” Nanoscale Adv., vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 1402–1421, 2024, doi: 10.1039/D3NA00821A.

Z. Huang, X. Wang, Y. Zhang, and X. Duan, “Interface trap states and noise mechanisms in h-BN encapsulated two-dimensional transistors,” ACS Nano, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 3561–3572, 2024, doi: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11245.

M. Saeed, H. M. Marwani, U. Shahzad, A. M. Asiri, and M. M. Rahman, “Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives of ZnO nanostructure materials towards energy applications,” Chem. Rec., vol. 24, no. 1, 2023, doi: 10.1002/tcr.202300106.

E. Ciftyurek, Z. Li, and K. Schierbaum, “Adsorbed oxygen ions and oxygen vacancies: Their concentration and distribution in metal oxide chemical sensors,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 1, p. 29, 2022, doi: 10.3390/s23010029.

C. Pan, Z. Mao, X. Yuan, H. Zhang, L. Mei, and X. Ji, “Heterojunction nanomedicine,” Adv. Sci., vol. 9, no. 11, 2022, doi: 10.1002/advs.202105747.

H. Pan, J. Wang, and Y. Zhao, “Atomic layer deposition enabled heterostructures for advanced gas sensing applications,” Nano Res., vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 5689–5705, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s12274-022-5051-8.

Y. Lv, H. Chen, Q. Wang, X. Li, C. Xie, and Z. Song, “Post-silicon nano-electronic device and its application in brain-inspired chips,” Front. Neurorobot., vol. 16, 2022, doi: 10.3389/fnbot.2022.948386.

S. Kumar, S. Pratap, V. Kumar, R. K. Mishra, J. S. Gwag, and B. Chakraborty, “Electronic, transport, magnetic, and optical properties of graphene nanoribbons and their optical sensing applications: A comprehensive review,” Luminescence, vol. 38, no. 7, pp. 909–953, 2022, doi: 10.1002/bio.4334.

M. Lin et al., “A high-performance, sensitive, wearable multifunctional sensor based on rubber/CNT for human motion and skin temperature detection,” Adv. Mater., vol. 34, no. 1, 2021, doi: 10.1002/adma.202107309.

H. Meskher et al., “A review on CNTs-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors: Unique properties and potential applications,” Crit. Rev. Anal. Chem., vol. 54, no. 7, pp. 2398–2421, 2023, doi: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2171277.

H. Luo and G. Yu, “Preparation, bandgap engineering, and performance control of graphene nanoribbons,” Chem. Mater., vol. 34, no. 8, pp. 3588–3615, 2022, doi: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.1c04215.

A. Kuddus, S. K. Mostaque, S. Mouri, and J. Hossain, “Emerging II--VI wide bandgap semiconductor device technologies,” Phys. Scr., vol. 99, no. 2, p. 22001, 2024, doi: 10.1088/1402-4896/ad1858.

Y. Wang, “Characterization and implementation of wide-bandgap semiconductor power devices: Dynamic Ioff of GaN HEMT and GaN/SiC cascode device,” 2024. doi: 10.14711/thesis-991012936368303412.

Z. Li, Y. Chen, J. Wang, and S. J. Pearton, “GaN-based nanowire sensors for high-temperature hydrogen detection,” Sensors Actuators A Phys., vol. 356, p. 114334, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.sna.2023.114334.

M. A. Fraga and R. S. Pessoa, “The role of semiconductor thin films in advancing MEMS sensor technology,” IEEE Sensors Rev., vol. 2, pp. 112–121, 2025, doi: 10.1109/SR.2025.3564231.

N. Thanjavur, L. Bugude, and Y.-J. Kim, “Integration of functional materials in photonic and optoelectronic technologies for advanced medical diagnostics,” Biosensors, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 38, 2025, doi: 10.3390/bios15010038.

Y. Wang, S. Wustoni, J. Surgailis, Y. Zhong, A. Koklu, and S. Inal, “Designing organic mixed conductors for electrochemical transistor applications,” Nat. Rev. Mater., vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 249–265, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41578-024-00652-7.

M. Sulaman, Q. Wu, B. Liu, T. Han, C. Li, and H. Guo, “Comprehensive review of organic/inorganic perovskite-based photodetectors: Investigating their evolution and prospects in modern photonics,” Photonics Res., vol. 13, no. 8, p. 2096, 2025, doi: 10.1364/PRJ.545013.

D. Rupwate, “Advanced FET biosensors: Design, materials, and biomedical applications,” Preprints, 2025, doi: 10.20944/preprints202506.1167.v1.

T. Cao et al., “Emerging memory devices for neuromorphic computing in the internet of medical things,” Cell Reports Phys. Sci., vol. 6, no. 8, p. 102735, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102735.

G. Indiveri and S. C. Liu, “Memory and information processing in neuromorphic systems,” Proc. IEEE, vol. 103, no. 8, pp. 1379–1397, 2015, doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2015.2444094.

A. Kolmakov, Y. Zhang, G. Cheng, and M. Moskovits, “Detection of CO and O$_2$ using tin oxide nanowire sensors,” Nano Lett., vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 667–673, 2005, doi: 10.1021/nl050232k.

M. Golański, J. Juchimiuk, A. Podlasek, and A. Starzyk, “Design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) in timber construction: Advancing energy efficiency and climate neutrality in the built environment,” Energies, vol. 18, no. 23, p. 6332, 2025, doi: 10.3390/en18236332.

S. L. Baker, H. J. Levinson, and C. A. Mack, “EUV lithography: Status and challenges,” J. Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, MOEMS, vol. 19, no. 4, p. 41002, 2020, doi: 10.1117/1.JMM.19.4.041002.

W.-Y. Woon et al., “Thermal management materials for 3D-stacked integrated circuits,” Nat. Rev. Electr. Eng., vol. 2, no. 9, pp. 598–613, 2025, doi: 10.1038/s44287-025-00196-0.

E. Pop, S. Sinha, and K. E. Goodson, “Heat generation and transport in nanometer-scale transistors,” Proc. IEEE, vol. 94, no. 8, pp. 1587–1601, 2012, doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2006.879796.

J. A. Rogers, T. Someya, and Y. Huang, “Materials and mechanics for stretchable electronics,” Science (80-. )., vol. 327, no. 5973, pp. 1603–1607, 2010, doi: 10.1126/science.1182383.

H. Kim et al., “Advances and perspectives in fiber-based electronic devices for next-generation soft systems,” npj Flex. Electron., vol. 9, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.1038/s41528-025-00465-w.

R. Pranckutė, “Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus: The Titans of bibliographic information in today’s academic world,” Publications, vol. 9, no. 1, p. 12, 2021, doi: 10.3390/publications9010012.

B. Yang, N. V Myung, and T. Tran, “1D metal oxide semiconductor materials for chemiresistive gas sensors: A review,” Adv. Electron. Mater., vol. 7, no. 9, 2021, doi: 10.1002/aelm.202100271.

T. Pham, G. Li, E. Bekyarova, M. E. Itkis, and A. Mulchandani, “MoS$_2$-based optoelectronic gas sensors with sub-ppb detection limits,” ACS Nano, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 3196–3205, 2019, doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b08994.

S. Kim et al., “Monolithic integration of MoS$_2$ field-effect transistors with gas sensors for scalable sensing arrays,” Commun. Mater., vol. 1, p. 45, 2020, doi: 10.1038/s43246-020-00048-1.

D. Perilli, D. Fazio, A. Capasso, and A. Di Bartolomeo, “Functionalized graphene chemiresistive gas sensors: Mechanisms, stability, and perspectives,” ACS Sensors, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 421–438, 2024, doi: 10.1021/acssensors.3c02011.

J. Tang, X. Wang, and Y. Li, “Carbon nanotube-based chemical sensors: Mechanisms, functionalization, and applications,” Chemosensors, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 21, 2025, doi: 10.3390/chemosensors13010021.

J. Sengupta, C. M. Hussain, and M. S. Islam, “Carbon nanotube-based field-effect transistor biosensors: Recent advances and challenges,” Biosens. Bioelectron., vol. 242, p. 115855, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.115855.

A. K. Mauraya, R. Singh, and R. Prakash, “ZnO/SnO$_2$ heterostructure-based gas sensors: Enhanced sensitivity and fast response,” Ceram. Int., vol. 48, no. 12, pp. 17155–17164, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.03.117.

M. A. H. Khan, M. V Rao, and Q. Li, “Recent advances in electrochemical and solid-state gas sensors for harsh environments,” Sensors, vol. 20, no. 6, p. 1675, 2020, doi: 10.3390/s20061675.

J. Rivnay, S. Inal, A. Salleo, R. M. Owens, M. Berggren, and G. G. Malliaras, “Organic electrochemical transistors,” Nat. Rev. Mater., vol. 3, p. 17086, 2018, doi: 10.1038/natrevmats.2017.86.

Y. Zhang, L. Sun, and H. Wang, “Hybrid perovskite-based sensors: Opportunities and stability challenges,” Adv. Funct. Mater., vol. 34, no. 8, p. 2309124, 2024, doi: 10.1002/adfm.202309124.

R. Rohilla, J. Prakash, and K. Dasgupta, “Review of carbon nanotube/graphene nanosheet chemiresistive gas sensors,” ACS Appl. Nano Mater., vol. 8, no. 49, pp. 23414–23465, 2025, doi: 10.1021/acsanm.5c04068.

H. Chai et al., “Stability of metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors: A review,” IEEE Sens. J., vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 5470–5481, 2022, doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2022.3148264.

R. He et al., “Wide-bandgap organic--inorganic hybrid and all-inorganic perovskite solar cells and their application in all-perovskite tandem solar cells,” Energy & Environ. Sci., vol. 14, no. 11, pp. 5723–5759, 2021, doi: 10.1039/D1EE01562A.

Z. Wang et al., “Memristors with diffusive dynamics as synaptic emulators for neuromorphic sensing,” Nat. Mater., vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 376–384, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41563-022-01455-6.

M. Haris, S. Ammad, and K. Rasheed, “AI-assisted building design,” in AI in Material Science, 2024, pp. 143–168. doi: 10.1201/9781003438489-7.

J. Park, Y. Lee, T. Y. Kim, S. Hwang, and J. Seo, “Functional bioelectronic materials for long-term biocompatibility and functionality,” ACS Appl. Electron. Mater., vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 1449–1468, 2022, doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.1c01212.