Plant-based cellulose paper matrices for electro-optical sensing: Advances in fabrication and applications

Abstract

Cellulosic paper, which is a sustainable and cost-effective material, has emerged as a fascinating material for effective electro/optical sensing device fabrication due to its unique physicochemical features, such as porosity, flexibility, and surface modifiability. The versatility, accessibility, affordability, and hydrophilic qualities of cellulose matrix make it an extremely appealing material for biosensor fabrication. Its surface properties can be easily molded or altered, and it possesses robust adsorptive properties for nanoparticles and biomolecules. This work presents the fabrication and application of a various cellulosic paper matrix engineered for use in integrated electrochemical and optical sensing systems. By functionalizing the cellulose fibers with appropriate conductive and photoreactive materials, enhanced sensitivity and selectivity toward various chemical and biological analytes can be easily achieved. The matrix supports both colorimetric and electronic signal transduction, enabling dual-mode detection capabilities suitable for sensitive and selective diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and wearable sensors fabrication. The review article explores the fabrication methods, sensor integration strategies, and performance metrics such as response time, limit of detection, and durability under diverse operating conditions. The latest developments in the production of cellulose-based sensors and their electroanalytical uses over the past 10 years have also been attempted to be covered. Most of the discussion centres around the development of cellulosic paper-based matrices and how they have been utilized in the fabrication of optical and electrochemical sensors. The results in this review article underscore the potential of cellulosic paper as a versatile and eco-friendly substrate for next-generation sensing technologies. © 2025 The Authors