Single atom engineered materials for sensors

Abstract

The pursuit of high-performance sensors necessitates the exploration of new materials to realize this potential. Single atom engineering (SAE) is used to plant individual atoms into the appropriate surrounding of (nano)materials in order to confer distinct materials properties. Hence, the nano architectonics principle utilized for single atom engineering allows us to build highly specific, selective, and sensitive sensors, taking these parameters to new and unprecedented levels. Such improvements derive from single atom–material interactions, coordination geometry, and environment, which in turn influence the electronic structure of the implanted atom and its surroundings. In this review, we briefly discuss the preparation and characterization of single atom engineered materials, and focus on their application for gas sensing, chemical sensing in the liquids, and biosensing. Single atom engineered materials offer tunable properties that in many cases enhance signal amplification and selectivity.