Electronic nose for the detection and discrimination of volatile organic compounds: Application, challenges, and perspectives

The electronic nose, commonly referred to as e-nose, has become an essential tool for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which play critical roles in air quality, climate change, and human health. Inspired from the human olfactory system, e-noses offer key advantages in portability and cost-effectiveness, making them indispensable for identifying a series of VOCs. This review explores advancements in e-nose technology for VOC detection, detailing the operational principles of various sensors, and assessing their strengths and weaknesses. It also examines the conventional and novel algorithms for VOC pattern recognition, highlighting their role in enhancing detection accuracy and application robustness. Moreover, the review discusses the diverse applications of e-noses, ranging from environmental monitoring to critical sectors such as food processing and medical diagnostics. Finally, the review addresses current challenges in e-nose applications, such as selectivity and sensitivity, and offers insights into emerging trends and future perspectives in e-nose development.