Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades we have witnessed the exploitation of nanotechnology potentialities in all technological fields connected to challenges faced by human society. In particular, in the sensing field, seminal breakthroughs have just been reached and, considering the long-term vision, further others are expected. In this sense, the increasing demand worldwide poses strict requirements (low cost, ultra-high sensitivity, selectivity, etc.) concerning new functional sensing devices for the detection of gases, volatile organic compounds, biomolecules, etc. Nanotechnology has the capacity to match such requirements with increasing efficiency in a sustainable fashion. This is due to its unique capability to provide novel functional materials and devices (through control of matter at the atomic scale). In this sense, metal-based nanomaterials are acquiring a key role in the high-efficiency and smart-sensing framework by exploiting characteristic plasmonic and electrical properties matched with feasibility and biocompatibility.

This Special Issue of Micromachines aims at collecting a compilation of review articles and original research papers illustrating the latest developments in the synthesis and self-assembly of metal-based nanomaterials (such as nanocrystals, nanoparticles, thin films, nanocomposites) whose combined physical and chemical properties can be efficiently exploited for the fabrication of sensing devices with ultra-high sensitivity and selectivity. In particular, for this Special Issue, contributions dealing with synthesis and self-assembly approaches, characterization methodologies, applications of structurally and/or chemically functional-designed nanomaterials for next-generation sensing devices are welcomed. Multidisciplinary approaches crossing physical, chemical, and engineering competences are expected for full exploitation of the nanomaterial properties at the forefront of nanotechnology.

Contributions regarding metal-based nanomaterials for sensing falling within the following topics are particularly encouraged:

• Plasmonic-based sensing;
• Chemoresistive sensing;
• Electrochemical sensing;
• Combinations of different classes of nanomaterials in rationale-designed nanocomposites (organic–inorganic, metallodielectric, 0D–1D–2D hybrids, metal–organic frameworks, etc.);
• Gas sensors;
• Volatile organic compound sensors;
• Biosensors;
• Device integration;
• Cutting-edge techniques for the quantitative characterization of morphological, structural, chemical, optical, electrical, magnetic, etc. properties of metal-based nanomaterials (advanced spectroscopies, microscopies, etc.).

Prof. Francesco Ruffino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• plasmonic sensors
• chemoresistive sensors
• nanofabrication
• metal nanostructures
• metal-based nanocomposites