(Bio)Analytical Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Abstract

Research in nanoscience and nanotechnology has widely developed in the past decade to the extent that today nanotechnology has established an interdisciplinary trend between almost all branches of science and technology. Particularly, the actual availability of novel nanodevices, nanotools, nanosensors, and nanosorbents, with varied functionalization possibilities, has also greatly impacted bioanalytical sciences through in analytical processes. Nanosized structures, with extraordinary physical and chemical properties, large specific surface areas, and different degrees of functionalization, have provided powerful tools for the bioanalysis systems by improving the detection sensitivity and miniaturization capabilities of the devices in bioanalytical procedures. Here, recent progresses achieved by exploiting the attractive properties of nanomaterials in the development of novel (bio)analytical techniques are reviewed. Moreover, improved analytical methodologies specifically designed to enable nanomaterials detection, quantification, and comprehensive characterization are required (key information to study their environmental behavior in toxicity studies or to improve the knowledge of their properties, thus making more effective their final use). An overview of the development of novel improved bioanalytical methodologies aimed to characterize or detect nanomaterials, along with a short outlook on future directions of the continuously growing nanoworld‐related bioanalytical applications, is included.