Nanomaterial‐Based Fluoride Sensors: Design Principles and Environmental Applications

This review is a critical and detailed discussion of nanomaterial‐based sensors of fluoride to be used in the environment. In contrast to other reviews, which focus mostly on the summarisation of material types and sensing mechanisms, the review is oriented towards a comparative and application‐based approach with a stronger emphasis on the advantages and deficiencies of different sensing platforms, such as carbon materials, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots and metal‐organic structures. Particular emphasis is put on new systems, including perovskite materials, wearable sensors and hybrid nanostructures that provide a higher level of sensitivity and real‐time sensing. Moreover, this review critically evaluates such critical challenges as selectivity in complex matrices, stability, toxicity and scalability and the gap between laboratory‐scale performance and real application in the environment. This work offers new input and design solutions to the creation of the next generation of fluoride‐sensing technologies through the combination of recent developments with the perspective of using real samples and reducing their environmental impact.