Molecular Recognition and Sensing Based on Ferrocene Derivatives and Ferrocene-Based Polymers

In the field of electrochemical detection, ferrocene has a promising application prospect in view of its impact as a component of molecular receptors and sensing materials. In this review, we aim to describe the principle of ferrocene-based electrochemical detection and further discuss its design and performances. In particular, two forms of detection, molecular recognition and sensing systems, were specified. Ferrocene-based molecular receptors with all kinds of structures covering derivatives, polymers, and supramolecular receptors are presented. Benefits of their structures to the recognition behavior are compared and discussed. In electrochemical sensors, the ferrocene-containing component is used as a mediator or a label. The architectural design, enhancement effect of additives, and the structures of ferrocene-containing components in the corresponding sensors are discussed in this review. Among sensors with different structures, film-type, sandwich-type, and displacement-type sensors are the main architecturally designed sensors. In addition, auxiliary materials such as conducting carbon materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene, and graphene oxide), nanopartides (magnetic nanoparticles and gold nanopartides), and modified saccharides which provide synergy in the conductivity and biocompatibility for ferrocene-containing sensors will be discussed as well.