Jie Tang, Ruirui Li, Subhan Mahmood, Jiying Li, Shun Yao
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have opened new routes in the field of chemical sensing due to their unparalleled electrical conductivity, high surface area, and versatile functionalization capabilities. This review systematically examined the latest advancements in CNT-based chemical sensors, with a focus on their sensing mechanism, functionalization strategies, and applications. A spotlight was cast on the wide-ranging applications of CNT-based chemical sensors, spanning environmental analysis, drug detection, healthcare, food quality control, gases detection, strain sensing, etc. Finally, through a comprehensive SWOT analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and existing threats, along with emerging trends of CNTs in the sensing field, were elucidated. This review systematically summarized the applications of CNTs across six major fields, highlighting more than 60 CNT-based sensing materials. We aim to provide a forward-looking perspective on how CNTs will continue to shape the future of chemical sensing.