Polymeric sensors at the crossroads of sustainability and scalability: low-temperature fabrication for environmental and health monitoring

Abstract

Modern industries are experiencing a dual transition: advancing toward sustainability (Industry 5.0) goals while simultaneously embracing Industry 4.0, characterized by Internet of Things (IoT)-driven smartification. This rapid expansion of interconnected devices is occurring in an era where conventional electronics remain fundamentally unsustainable, with persistent challenges in recycling, metal segregation, and circularity. This disconnect necessitates alternative material and fabrication strategies that can enable scalable sensor deployment without exacerbating environmental burdens. In this review, we analyze recent progress (over the last five years) in low-temperature fabricated polymer-driven sensors, focusing on their relevance for sustainable environmental and health monitoring. Advances across different polymer families and fabrication techniques are systematically examined, with evaluation from both sustainability and scalability perspectives. Special emphasis is placed on how these approaches address limitations of conventional high-temperature, resource-intensive processes and their applicability across sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and chemicals. By examining current literature in light of the dual transition, the review identifies recent trends, outlines knowledge gaps, and highlights pathways for integrating polymer-based sensors into large-scale, environmentally responsible technologies.