Nanomaterial-based sensors

Different technologies and methods based on cholinesterases have been developed for low cost and fast detection of anti-ChEs with high sensitivity, accuracy and storage stability (Periasamy et al., 2009). These include a novel development of cholinesterases conjugated to nanomaterial-based sensors. In such systems, the cholinesterases are conjugated to nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metallic nanoparticles (NPs), or semiconductor NPs, which enable the use of their unique properties, in the nano regime, to achieve the requirements from satisfactory sensors. 

Su S et al (2012) Nanomaterials-based sensors for applications in environmental monitoring. J Mater Chem 22 18101-18110... 

Chapters 1 to 5 deal with ionophore-based potentiometric sensors or ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). Chapters 6 to 11 cover voltammetric sensors and biosensors and their various applications. The third section (Chapter 12) is dedicated to gas analysis. Chapters 13 to 17 deal with enzyme based sensors. Chapters 18 to 22 are dedicated to immuno-sensors and genosensors. Chapters 23 to 29 cover thick and thin film based sensors and the final section (Chapters 30 to 38) is focused on novel trends in electrochemical sensor technologies based on electronic tongues, micro and nanotechnologies, nanomaterials, etc. 

As it can be seen, the number of publications is enormous. The aim of this chapter, rather than attempting a systematic review of the field, is to show in a didactic manner the possibilities of electrochemical immunosensing for food analysis. There are some parts that could be found in other chapters of this book, such as, for example, the use of miniaturized electrodes, nanomaterials, or electrochemical techniques. However, a focus on the knowledge required for understanding their application to food analysis is always made, leaving a deeper treatment for those chapters. On the other hand, the reader can find many important references to the field in recent reviews, from the most general to the particular ones. Thus, recent trends in antibody-based sensors [2] (immunosensors) or smart electrochemical biosensors (from advanced materials to ultrasensitive devices)... 

Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Nanomaterials 321 11.3.2 Nanomaterial-based Bioaffinity Sensors... 

A wide range of newly introduced nanoscale materials is expected to expand the realm of nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors. In addition, the judicious coupling of two different nanomaterials (i.e., inorganic/carbon nanohybrids) has been shown to offer further improvements in the analytical performance, superior to that observed when a single nanomaterial is used [55]. Such nanobioelectronic devices are expected to have a major impact upon ensuring our food safety or water quality, and upon other areas ranging from clinical diagnostics to security surveillance. 

Chen A, Chatteijee S. Nanomaterials based electrochemical sensors for biomedical applications. Chem Soc Rev 2013 42 5425-38. 

W. Putzbach, N.J. Ronkainen, Immobilization techniques in the fabrication of nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors A review. Sensors 13 (2013) 4811-4840. 

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