Das, Sagnik and Pal, Mrinal (2026) The Scent of Health: Role of Semiconductor Nanocomposites-Based Gas Sensor Toward Next-Generation Breathomics. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 109 (7). ISSN 0002-7820

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Abstract

Breathomics, the study of exhaled breath constituents, has emerged as a promising non-invasive tool for real-time health monitoring and early disease diagnosis. Human breath contains thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at trace concentrations (ppm–ppt levels), many of which serve as biomarkers of specific metabolic and pathological conditions. Although analytical techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry (PTR–MS) provide high sensitivity and accuracy, their high cost, bulky instrumentation, and operational complexity limit their widespread clinical use. In contrast, semiconductor nanocomposite-based chemiresistive gas sensors offer low-cost, portable, rapid, and miniaturized alternatives for breath analysis. This mini-review discusses the evolution of breathomics, breath composition, and major breath biomarkers along with their metabolic origins. The effects of physiological, environmental, and lifestyle factors on breath signatures are also highlighted. The fundamental principles of chemiresistive gas sensing, including surface adsorption, charge transfer, and resistance modulation, are reviewed to explain sensor operation. Recent advances in semiconductor nanomaterials, such as morphology-engineered oxides, heterostructures, and hybrid nanocomposites, are critically examined with respect to sensitivity, selectivity, and response characteristics. Finally, key challenges, including humidity interference, cross-sensitivity, and long-term stability, are discussed, together with prospects involving MEMS-based devices, sensor arrays, and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted breath analytics for personalized healthcare.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Electronics
Divisions:	Sensor and Actuator
Depositing User:	Ms Upasana Sahu
Date Deposited:	22 Sep 2026 06:56
Last Modified:	22 Sep 2026 06:56
URI:	https://cgcri.csircentral.net/id/eprint/5834

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