Nanostructured Materials for Sensing

Materials having nanometric dimensions are able to improve their functional properties, which allow their exploitation in highly performing sensors. Materials with at least one dimension smaller than 100 nm are classified as nanostructured. Compared to micro-sized ones, nanomaterials are characterized by a higher surface to bulk ratio, usually leading to an enhancement of optical, mechanical, electrical, structural, and magnetic properties [1]. In the last few years, research focused its efforts on the development of multifunctional composite materials, able to perform multiple non-structural functions, sometimes combined with a suitable mechanical response. If nanostructured, they can also imply additional functional properties with respect to conventional composites. Multifunctional materials can be used for developing highly performing sensors, particularly in the case of single-phased and composite materials ...