Chemical and biochemical sensors based on advances in materials chemistry

The advance of materials chemistry has influenced the design of analytical sensors, especially those using spectroscopic or electrochemical methods fo r generating the signal. New methods of immobilizing enzymes, chromophores, and electron-transfer catalysts have resulted from initiatives in material s science. Systems based on sol-gel chemistry are especially noteworthy in this regard, but other important materials for chemical and biochemical sen sors include zeolites, organic polymers, and various conducting composites. Applications cited include determinations of inorganic ions, gases, neurot ransmitters, alcohols, carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, and DNA. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.