Challenges in developing effective sensing materials for low-temperature electrochemical N₂O detection in freezing...

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is an effective greenhouse gas with a global warming capacity much higher than CO₂. It is primarily emitted from organic soil matter decomposition and in agricultural practices. Reducing N₂O emissions is crucial for achieving climate goals and for reducing the agricultural contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Proper detection of N₂O is thus important for effective mitigation. It is an urgent requirement, particularly in low-temperature soil environments, where monitoring is a challenge. Electrochemical sensors offer a low-cost and energy-efficient alternative to other available gas sensing technologies. These sensors are applied to environmental monitoring in the field setting. This review provides a critical assessment of the current limitations of electrochemical sensing technologies and identifies emerging opportunities for future research and development. Further improvements in materials fabrication are required to enhance sensor performance, and these developments can be optimized through computational simulations. For effective N₂O detection in soils, several design adaptations are necessary, including electrodes that maintain direct contact with the soil, high electrode surface areas, and the integration of flexible membranes. These features can improve sensitivity and adaptability to heterogeneous soil conditions. Proper calibration is also essential and should be based on background N₂O concentrations typical of soil environments. In addition, sensor designs must incorporate temperature-compensation strategies to ensure reliable performance under unpredictable field conditions.