Chemically Sensitive Field-effect Transistors and Chemiresistors: New Materials and Device Structures

Electronic sensor technology remains of widespread and intense interest. There are compelling needs to detect chemical species ranging from small molecules dispersed in the gas phase to complex biopolymers in aqueous solution. This review describes some recent advances in three main areas: chemically sensitive resistors (chemiresistors, CRs) including inorganic and organic based devices, field effect transistors (FETs) with semiconducting layers and/or gates with chemical sensitivity, and sensors based on the differential conductivity of nanotubes and nanowires. Results reported in the last two to three years are emphasized, highlighting some current trends in the development of sensors for applications such as diagnostics, process monitoring, and security.