Advances in sprayable sensors for nerve agent detection

Exposure to nerve agents (NAs) through breathing or skin contact is extremely dangerous and can be fatal within a minute due to irreversible binding to acetylcholinesterase. The colorless and odorless properties of these chemical agents make timely response challenging. However, visualizing these agents on contaminated surfaces provides a straightforward way of identifying and responding to noxious threats. This article comprehensively reviews advancements in NA sensor technologies and developments in detection methods with focus on the emergence of innovative sprayable sensors and provides an overview of advanced chemosensors tailored for sprayable applications. The utilizable compounds are classified as polymers, enzymes, organic or inorganic dyes, or nanoparticles. These chemosensors provide unparalleled convenience and versatility and overcome the limitations of traditional instruments. The applicability of current state-of-the-art chemosensors as sprayable sensors is assessed and discussed, and the importance of these innovative technologies in terms of improving human and animal safety and detoxification is emphasized.