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Open research questions in Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection

154 gap statements mined from Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 2,305 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • Conventional analytical methods have limitations such as high costs and complicated sample preparation. The need for improved sensitivity and selectivity in metal ion sensing. Limited aqueous solubility of carbazole-based sensors.

    Recent advances in carbazole-based Schiff bases for metal ion sensing: structures and functions · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of a novel HClO detection method with high selectivity, sensitivity, and rapid response is challenging due to the limitations of current probes. The design of a convenient nanodevice based on DNA tetrahedron for specific detection of HClO is challenging due to the complexity of the biological environment.

    Efficient fluorescence strategy based on a DNA tetrahedral nanodevice for intracellular hypochlorous acid imaging · 2026 · DOI

  • Lack of simple, cost-effective, and sensitive methods for detecting Cr6+ in environmental samples. Limited understanding of the molecular interactions between the composite and the ions. Need for evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the composite.

    Development of a polyaniline – sulfonated phenol formaldehyde (PANI–SPF) composite as a fluorescence ‘Turn-off’ chemosensor for Cr6+ and Fe3+ ions, antimicrobial application and DFT investigation · 2026 · DOI

  • Traditional detection techniques have limitations, such as high costs and expensive instruments. The sensitivity of traditional detection techniques cannot meet the demand of ultrasensitive, on-site, and real-time detection of low-abundance analytes. There is a need for the development of novel sensing methods and materials with tailored properties.

    Metal–Phenolic Networks for Sensing Applications · 2025 · DOI

  • There is a need to understand the molecular properties of fluorescent proteins and their fluorescence responses to metal ions to develop highly sensitive and selective Cu2+ biosensors. The binding modes of Cu2+ to fluorescent proteins are not well understood. There is a lack of structural analysis of Cu2+ binding to fluorescent proteins.

    Structure-Based Understanding of Cu2+ Coordination in Fluorescent Proteins for Metal Biosensor Applications—A Review · 2025 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the need for a non-catalytic approach for hydrogen peroxide colorimetric sensing. Conventional colorimetric determination methods predominantly employ enzymatic or nanozyme catalysts, which may have limitations.

    Oxidation-Active Radical TTM-DMODPA for Catalysis-Free Hydrogen Peroxide Colorimetric Sensing · 2025 · DOI

  • The cytotoxicity of the chemosensor and its complex with Hg2+ limits its application in living systems. The chemosensor was only tested in a limited number of cell lines. The study did not investigate the long-term effects of the chemosensor on living organisms.

    Shedding Light on Heavy Metal Contamination: Fluorescein-Based Chemosensor for Selective Detection of Hg2+ in Water · 2024 · DOI

  • Further modification of the chemosensor to reduce its cytotoxicity is needed. Investigation of the long-term effects of the chemosensor on living organisms is required. Expansion of the study to include more cell lines and in vivo experiments.

    Shedding Light on Heavy Metal Contamination: Fluorescein-Based Chemosensor for Selective Detection of Hg2+ in Water · 2024 · DOI

  • The gap in existing research is the lack of efficient methods for detecting trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene. The paper identifies the need for novel 2D materials with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for these compounds.

    First-principles study of β-phosphogalinane nanosheet for sensing trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for sensitive and selective probes for Fe(III) ion detection. Current probes have limitations in terms of sensitivity and selectivity.

    A Novel Naphthalene-Based Schiff Base as a Colorimetric Probe for Fe(III) Ion Detection · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of artificial Na+ channels that simultaneously achieve high permeability and high selectivity remains a challenge. Existing systems are constrained by a limited performance ceiling.

    Conformation‐Adaptive Crown Ether‐Polyimides as Superfast and Exceptionally Selective Artificial Na + Channels · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies can be conducted to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the detector. The detector can be applied to other halide ions.

    Fluorescein spectrofluorometric quenching detection of chloride and iodide using eight-Blue-LEDs excitation and dual solar cells · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for a novel fluorescence detector for the precise determination of chloride and iodide ions. Prior detectors may not have the required sensitivity and selectivity.

    Fluorescein spectrofluorometric quenching detection of chloride and iodide using eight-Blue-LEDs excitation and dual solar cells · 2026 · DOI

  • The methods were only applied to a limited number of matrices. The ecological impact of the proposed methods was only investigated in terms of cost-effectiveness and solvent consumption.

    A novel factorial design implemented spectrofluorimetric determination of caffeic acid: individual and combined assays with curcumin · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of fluorescent probes that can simultaneously detect changes in viscosity and ONOO− during food spoilage. Most of these fluorescent probes are designed for detecting changes in viscosity and ONOO− in the biological field.

    A dual-responsive fluorescent probe for monitoring viscosity and peroxynitrite and applications · 2026 · DOI

  • The detection of Cd2+ is a significant challenge due to its low concentration in environmental samples. The method needs to be sensitive and selective to detect Cd2+ in the presence of other metal ions.

    Facile fabrication of AuNP-functionalized cotton sensors for colorimetric Cd2+ detection · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for a facile, economical, easy to use and transportable detection method for Cd2+. Current methods may not be suitable for field applications due to their complexity and cost.

    Facile fabrication of AuNP-functionalized cotton sensors for colorimetric Cd2+ detection · 2026 · DOI

  • Most existing sensing systems for ascorbic acid detection are based on the strong reducibility of ascorbic acid. There is a need for a more selective and sensitive method for ascorbic acid detection. The existing methods may not be suitable for detection in complex biological matrices.

    Fluorescent and colorimetric dual-readout ratiometric assay for highly selective ascorbic acid detection based on gold(I) triggered in situ reaction · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for a reliable and efficient method for detecting β-Gal activity. The limitations of current methods in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. The lack of a fluorescent probe that can detect β-Gal activity with high sensitivity and selectivity.

    A reaction-based fluorescence for monitoring β-Gal in living cells and BALB/c nude mice · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for simple and cost-effective chemosensors for detecting heavy metal ions. The lack of eco-friendly and low-cost optical probes for cadmium detection.

    UV–Visible Spectroscopic Evaluation of Citric Acid Isolated from Lime Juice as Optical Chemosensor for Cadmium Ions · 2026 · DOI

  • Development of novel HClO detection methods with high selectivity, sensitivity, and rapid response remains critically important. Further characterization of the relationship between fluorescence enhancement and HClO.

    Efficient fluorescence strategy based on a DNA tetrahedral nanodevice for intracellular hypochlorous acid imaging · 2026 · DOI

  • To explore the potential applications of the SBL-Fe(III) complex in medicinal chemistry. To investigate the interaction between SBL and other metal ions. To develop new colorimetric probes for metal ion detection using the approach presented in this study.

    A Novel Naphthalene-Based Schiff Base as a Colorimetric Probe for Fe(III) Ion Detection · 2026 · DOI

  • Open Access Address: 1Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan, 2JST PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan, and 3Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 828–838.

    Cross-scale design of chemosensor arrays: from molecular self-assembly in water to paper-based devices for metal ion detection · 2026 · DOI

  • The application of the proposed methods to other matrices and samples. The development of new spectrofluorimetric methods for the quantitative analysis of other bioactive compounds.

    A novel factorial design implemented spectrofluorimetric determination of caffeic acid: individual and combined assays with curcumin · 2026 · DOI

  • Further evaluation of the probe and its conjugate with silica nanoparticles for detecting other heavy metals. Investigation of the probe's effectiveness in different cell lines and organisms.

    Employment of the fluorescent probe hydroxy-naphthyl-methylbenzoxazole-based dye and its combination with fluorescent silica nanoparticles as potential heavy metal-targeting systems: results and troubleshooting in Cd-polluted environments · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) Lack of simple, cost-effective, and sensitive methods for detecting Cr6+ in environmental samples (“Development of a polyaniline – sulfonated phenol formaldehyde (PANI–SPF)…”, 2026); (2) The gap in existing research is the lack of efficient methods for detecting trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene (“First-principles study of β-phosphogalinane nanosheet for sensing…”, 2026); (3) There is a need for sensitive and selective probes for Fe(III) ion detection (“A Novel Naphthalene-Based Schiff Base as a Colorimetric Probe for Fe(III) Ion…”, 2026); (4) There is a need for a novel fluorescence detector for the precise determination of chloride and iodide ions (“Fluorescein spectrofluorometric quenching detection of chloride and iodide…”, 2026); (5) There is a lack of fluorescent probes that can simultaneously detect changes in viscosity and ONOO− during food spoilage (“A dual-responsive fluorescent probe for monitoring viscosity and peroxynitrite…”, 2026). 154 gap statements have been mined from Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 2,305 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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