Nanomaterial-based inkjet printing for electrochemical sensing

Abstract

Inkjet printing (IJP) has emerged as a transformative technology for printed and flexible electronics, redefining electrode engineering for (bio)chemical sensing. It enables maskless, picoliter-scale, additive deposition with high spatial precision, uniformity, and material efficiency. We provide a comprehensive overview of IJP as both a fabrication and post-fabrication functionalization platform for electrochemical working electrodes and fully printed devices. We integrate advances in ink formulation, jetting behavior, and substrate interactions with performance metrics such as layer thickness, roughness, electrochemical surface area, sensitivity, detection limit, and reproducibility. Comparative analyses with drop-casting and screen-printing highlight IJP's advantages in reproducibility, scalability, and material economy. Particular emphasis is placed on nanomaterial- and bioink-based systems, including carbon nanomaterials, MXenes, and hybrid inks, where controlled deposition governs electrode functionality. We also discuss emerging opportunities in hybrid architectures, reactive printing, and sustainable approaches using biodegradable substrates and water-based inks. Finally, we outline a roadmap toward automated, digitally controlled, and environmentally responsible manufacturing of customizable sensors for wearable, biomedical, food, and environmental applications. Collectively, these developments position inkjet printing as an enabling framework for the next generation of intelligent, reproducible, and sustainable sensing technologies.