Metal Nanoparticles and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Improved Performances of Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors with Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Monitoring human health for early detection of disease conditions or health disorders is of major clinical importance for maintaining a healthy life. Sensors are small devices employed for qualitative and quantitative determination of various analytes by monitoring their properties using a certain transduction method. A “real-time” biosensor includes a biological recognition receptor (such as an antibody, enzyme, nucleic acid or whole cell) and a transducer to convert the biological binding event to a detectable signal, which is read out indicating both the presence and concentration of the analyte molecule. A wide range of specific analytes with biomedical significance at ultralow concentration can be sensitively detected. In nano(bio)sensors, nanoparticles (NPs) are incorporated into the (bio)sensor design by attachment to the suitably modified platforms. For this purpose, metal nanoparticles have many advantageous properties making them useful in the transducer component of the (bio)sensors. Gold, silver and platinum NPs have been the most popular ones, each form of these metallic NPs exhibiting special surface and interface features, which significantly improve the biocompatibility and transduction of the (bio)sensor compared to the same process in the absence of these NPs. This comprehensive review is focused on the main types of NPs used for electrochemical (bio)sensors design, especially screen-printed electrodes, with their specific medical application due to their improved analytical performances and miniaturized form. Other advantages such as supporting real-time decision and rapid manipulation are pointed out. A special attention is paid to carbon-based nanomaterials (especially carbon nanotubes and graphene), used by themselves or decorated with metal nanoparticles, with excellent features such as high surface area, excellent conductivity, effective catalytic properties and biocompatibility, which confer to these hybrid nanocomposites a wide biomedical applicability.

Exploring the Journey of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) toward Biomedical Applications

“…ZnO-NPs are manufactured using nanotechnology and are extensively used in various nanotechnology disciplines involving gas sensors [ 9 ], biosensors [ 10 , 11 ], cosmetics [ 12 ], ceramics [ 13 ], optical devices [ 14 ], display window materials for solar cells [ 15 ], and drug delivery [ 16 , 17 ]. Solar cells may directly transform light energy into electricity with their photovoltaic impact on ZnO-NPs [ 18 ].…”

Nano-Hybrid Au@LCCs Systems Displaying Anti-Inflammatory Activity

“…In this work, we first analyze the physicochemical properties of our Au@LCC nanocolloids prepared by the green PLAL technique. Then, we also investigate their toxicity and anti-inflammatory action, knowing that both carbon-based nanomaterials and Au NPs are interesting materials for biomedical applications [ 55 , 56 ].…”

Evolution of Diagnostic Methods for Helicobacter pylori Infections: From Traditional Tests to High Technology, Advanced Sensitivity and Discrimination Tools

“…The immobilization of the bioelement is a crucial step in the biosensor design; therefore, a wide range of immobilization strategies have been employed. Taking into account the transduction mechanism, biosensors can be classified as electrochemical, piezoelectric, and optoelectronic [ 89 , 90 ].…”

“…with the aim of improving the sensors’ performances. The possibility of miniaturization and portability of the sensors is a key point for developing on-site and real-time analysis devices [ 89 , 90 ].…”