Exploration of photothermal sensors based on photothermally responsive materials: a brief review

The exploration of novel platforms for highly sensitive and selective detection of species of interest is always demanding. Photothermal sensors have emerged as a novel type of probe, particularly for on-site recognition. Many photothermally responsive materials, including inorganic nanomaterials, organic molecules and biomolecules, have been explored in recent decades for their applications as photothermal sensors. In this review, we will summarize several types of photothermally responsive materials and their applications in sensing. Finally, the prospects and challenges for future developments will be discussed. Photothermal sensors have emerged as a new type of sensor platform in recent decades and this brief review has summarized different types of photothermally responsive materials and their applications in various fields.