Characteristics, Applications, and Limitations of Nanocomposites in Biosensing

Introduction

Biosensors are analytical instruments that combine a biological sensing element with a physical transducer to detect and quantify specific analytes. They have various uses in environmental monitoring, food safety, medical diagnostics, and other sectors. Nanocomposites are materials that mix two or more phases, one of which is nanoscale in size (Thakur et al., 2022; Mandal et al., 2023). They have distinct features that make them excellent for use in biosensor applications. Nanocomposites, for instance, can be engineered to have large surface areas, improving the sensitivity and selectivity of biosensors (Malhotra BD et al., 2018)

Furthermore, nanocomposites can be employed to construct biosensors that are more stable and robust than typical biosensors (Song et al.,2021). In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in producing sustainable nanocomposites for biosensor applications. In one review (Naresh et al., 2021), essential insights into the practical uses of these sustainable technologies by developing nanocomposite-based biosensors for detecting emerging environmental pollutants have been highlighted. Wearable biosensors have also been found to be used for sustainable nanocomposites. Graphene-based nanocomposites have been used to develop flexible, biodegradable sensors that measure physiological parameters such as glucose levels and pH (Bai et al., 2020). These sensors are not only environmentally beneficial, but they also provide real-time health monitoring.

This chapter delves into the fascinating world of sustainable nanocomposites as biosensors, providing light on their potential to transform environmental science. The search for sustainable biosensors has recently gained traction as researchers and scientists attempt to produce efficient, environmentally friendly, cost-effective alternatives (Navid Rabiee et al.,2021). In this effort, nanocomposites have emerged as a ray of hope, promising to revolutionize biosensor technology. The word “nanocomposite” refers to materials made up of nanoscale components, with one dimension typically less than 100 nanometers. These components, which are frequently nanoparticles, nanofibers, or nanosheets, are combined with a matrix material to form a composite structure that uses the unique features of both ingredients (Haleem et al.,2020). Using toxic chemicals and energy-intensive processes should be minimized in manufacturing nanocomposites. Green synthesis approaches, such as biological synthesis with microorganisms or plant extracts, can lower the environmental footprint (Dey et al., 2022, Arunadevi et al., 2018). Researchers created a biodegradable sensor for detecting heavy metal ions in water by combining cellulose nanofibers with quantum dots (D’souza et al., 2020). This biosensor has high sensitivity and degrades spontaneously, reducing its environmental impact. Biogenic synthesis uses microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi to create nanocomposites. These bacteria can bioaccumulate metal ions and intracellularly synthesize nanoparticles, providing a sustainable and biocompatible method for nanocomposite manufacture (Ba Yao et al., 2022). Waste materials can also be recycled or upcycled to create sustainable nanocomposites. For instance, incorporating waste-derived nanoparticles into composite materials can reduce environmental impact while adding value to discarded materials (Wang et al., 2020). Several challenges must be addressed before sustainable nanocomposites can be widely adopted for biosensor applications. For instance, it is important to develop methods for mass-producing sustainable approach nanocomposites with consistent quality (Araújo R et al., 2022). This chapter highlights the importance of developing methods for integrating different nanocomposites with other biosensor components, such as electrodes and signal amplifiers (Miao et al., 2022).