Advanced Graphene-Based Materials for Electrochemical Biomarkers and Protein Detection

Abstract

In this chapter, recent advances in the field of graphene materials-based (bio)sensors that are used for biomarker and protein electrochemical detection are presented. Approaches related to the synthesis of electrode material for (bio)sensors construction as well as to their morphological and structural characterization, are highlighted, pointing out the advantages of using graphene-based materials for (bio)sensors applications. This chapter focuses on obtaining graphene-based electrodes, detecting biomarkers and proteins, and evaluating the performance of the sensors. Different methods for designing sensors for a large variety of biomolecules are described and comparatively discussed. In order to increase their electroanalytical performances, such as sensitivity, selectivity, detection limit, linear range, and stability, the research performed in the last years was focused on different types of graphene structures including graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanofoams, graphene nanocomposites, different functionalized graphene, etc. The detection of analytes including neurotransmitters and neurochemicals (dopamine, ascorbic acid, uric acid, serotonin, epinephrine, etc.), hydrogen peroxide, and proteins, have been discussed. The studies related to electrochemical (bio)sensors are presented in three subchapters, and the key results—electroanalytical performances—of the sensors are summarized. The final chapter provides the conclusions derived from the comparative analyses of different approaches related to these types of (bio)sensors based on graphene materials.