Open Access

REVIEW

Research Progress of Sulfide-Based Gas Sensors for the Detection of Volatile Compounds in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Jiantong Li^1,*, Haiqiong Huang²
1 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing University of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
2 Chongqing Chuangyuemei Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing, China
* Corresponding Author: Jiantong Li. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Research and Application of Chalcogenide Semiconductor Materials in Gas Sensors)

Chalcogenide Letters https://doi.org/10.32604/cl.2026.087705

Received 13 July 2026; Accepted 17 September 2026; Published online 29 September 2026

Abstract

This paper systematically introduces the latest research results on sulfide-based gas sensors for the detection of volatile substances in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). WS₂, SnS₂ and MoS₂ are 2D transition metal sulfides that have recently shown good results in the field of volatile organic compound (VOC) sensing, and particular attention is being paid to them. Based on relevant local and international studies, the gas-sensing mechanism, structural control strategy and application prospects of these materials in TCM volatile compound analysis have been carefully studied. Based on the above research, sulfide materials have a high specific surface area, many surface active sites, and relatively short charge transport paths; thus, they show a strong response to low-concentration VOCs at room or near-room temperatures. Improved sensing performance, such as enhanced sensitivity, altered response characteristics, reduced detection limits, etc., has been achieved through defect engineering, noble metal functionalization, heterostructure construction, and nanostructure optimisation.

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Keywords

Traditional Chinese medicine volatile compounds; gas sensor; electronic nose; sulfide materials

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