A Review on CNTs-Based Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors: Unique Properties and Potential Applications

Crit Rev Anal Chem. 2024;54(7):2398-2421. doi: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2171277. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), are safe, biocompatible, bioactive, and biodegradable materials, and have sparked a lot of attention due to their unique characteristics in a variety of applications, including medical and dye industries, paper manufacturing and water purification. CNTs also have a strong film-forming potential, permitting them to be widely employed in constructing sensors and biosensors. This review concentrates on the application of CNT-based nanocomposites in the production of electrochemical sensors and biosensors. It emphasizes the synthesis and optimization of CNT-based sensors for a range of applications and outlines the benefits of using CNTs for biomolecule immobilization. In addition, the use of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-CNTs in the production of electrochemical sensors is also discussed. The challenges faced by the current CNTs-based sensors, along with some the future perspectives and their future opportunities, are also briefly explained in this paper.

Keywords: Biomolecules immobilization; carbon nanotubes; electrochemical sensors; molecularly imprinted polymer; nanocomposite.

Plain language summary

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSReview article on advanced Carbon-Nanotube (CNT)-based sensors and biosensors.The advantages of using CNTs for biomolecule immobilization and in electrochemical sensors and biosensors are discussed.The use of molecularly imprinted polymer-CNT nanocomposites in the production of electrochemical sensors is also discussed.Several characteristics, including sensor manufacturing, linear ranges, detection limits, and repeatability, are described in depth.Challenges and prospects using CNTs modified sensors have been proposed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques* / instrumentation
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Electrochemical Techniques* / instrumentation
  • Humans
  • Molecularly Imprinted Polymers / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon* / chemistry

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Molecularly Imprinted Polymers