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In this paper, the scientific progress in the field of thin film materials and their associated sensing technologies are described comprehensively to address the directions for future research and developments as per the need of modern-day technologies. To begin with, we briefly discussed the fundamental synthesis approaches for advanced thin films with an emphasis on the properties necessary for controlled fabrication (e.g., the elemental ratio and spatial arrangement). Subsequently, we explored the control, characterization, and optimization of hybrid porous thin films with respect to diverse sensing applications. The application of hybrid porous thin film materials has also been discussed in relation to the mechanisms used for biological, optical, electrical, acoustic, and other advanced sensing techniques (e.g., surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)). Finally, conclusions are drawn to highlight the current status of thin film-based sensing technology along with its opportunities and challenges., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A label-free immunosensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been developed for the sensitive detection of a cardiac biomarker myoglobin (cMyo). Hydrothermally synthesized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been used as an immobilized template on screen printed electrodes for the construction of an impedimetric sensor platform. The GQDs-modified electrode was conjugated with highly specific anti-myoglobin antibodies to develop the desired immunosensor. The values of charge transfer resistance (Rct) were monitored as a function of varying antigen concentration. The Rct value of the immunosensor showed a linear increase (from 0.20 to 0.31kΩ) in the range of 0.01-100ng/mL cMyo. The specific detection of cMyo was also made in the presence of other competing proteins. The limit of detection for the proposed immunosensor was estimated as 0.01ng/mL which is comparable to the standard ELISA techniques., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The sensitive detection of dipicolinic acid (DPA) is strongly associated with the sensing of bacterial organisms in food and many types of environmental samples. To date, the demand for a sensitive detection method for bacterial toxicity has increased remarkably. Herein, we investigated the DPA detection potential of a water-dispersible terbium-metal organic framework (Tb-MOF) based on the fluorescence quenching mechanism. The Tb-MOF showed a highly sensitive ability to detect DPA at a limit of detection of 0.04nM (linear range of detection: 1nM to 5µM) and also offered enhanced selectivity from other commonly associated organic molecules. The present study provides a basis for the application of Tb-MOF for direct, convenient, highly sensitive, and specific detection of DPA in the actual samples., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Due to indiscriminate use of pesticides, there is a growing need to develop sensors that can sensitively detect the trace amount of pesticides in food and water samples. Parathion, identified as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, had been one of the most widely used pesticides throughout the world. Symptoms of its poisoning are found to be diverse enough to include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramping/twitching, and shortness of breath. In this work, a graphene based impedimetric immunosensor has been fabricated and employed for highly sensitive and specific detection of parathion. The fabrication proceeded through the modification of the screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPE) with graphene sheets, followed by their functionalization with 2-aminobenzyl amine (2-ABA) via an electrochemical reaction. These amine functionalized graphene electrodes were then bio-interfaced with the anti-parathion antibodies. In the impedimetric mode, this biosensor detected parathion in a broad linear range, i.e. 0.1-1000ng/L with a very low limit of detection (52pg/L). It also showed high selectivity towards parathion in the presence of malathion, paraoxon, and fenitrothion. The viability of this biosensor was demonstrated by detecting parathion in real samples (e.g., tomato and carrot) and through cross-calibration against HPLC., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present paper reports the assembly and pesticide sensing application of a nanometal organic framework [Cd(atc)(H2O)2]n ('atc'=2-aminoterephthalic acid). The assembly of the NMOF film has been achieved by sequential dipping of a 2-aminobenzylamine (2-ABA) modified indium tin oxide (ITO) slide in organic linker 'atc' and metal ion 'Cd(2+)' solutions. The different structural and morphological characteristics of the NMOF thin film have been characterized. The availability of pendent -COOH functional groups on the assembled NMOF film is exploited to synthesize a pesticide immunosensor by conjugating the NMOF film with anti-parathion antibody. This immunosensor has been explored for the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) based analysis of parathion in the concentration range of 0.1-20ng/mL. The proposed detection is specific with respect to other organophosphate compounds, e.g. malathion, paraoxon, fenitrothion, monochrotophos and dichlorovos. The proposed sensor shows the detection limit of 0.1ng/mL and it is applicable for analysis of parathion in a rice sample. The sensor's performance is validated by comparting the obtained results with gas chromatographic data., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)