Bioengineered multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) based biosensors and applications thereof

Abstract

The emergence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the past decade has greatly promoted the development of biosensors, which provide a possible alternative to conventional detection systems. CNTs possess outstanding properties including good mechanical strength, photostability, better electrical conductivity, tunable photonic properties, ease of surface modification with functional groups, and the ability to conjugate with metal or organic components. The expanding family of CNTs, particularly multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), has been used for developing highly reliable and sensitive sensor systems. Bioengineered MWCNTs were fabricated by coupling with biological entities such as antibodies, aptamers, proteins, DNA, etc. as novel biosensing platforms. The present review aims to provide an overview of the recent developments in the field of bioengineered MWCNT-based biosensors. Recent research on CNT-based immunosensors, aptasensors, and enzymatic sensors is also discussed, along with some practical examples of such sensors. Finally, the applications of bioengineered gold nanoparticle–MWCNT (bio-AuNP–MWCNT) composites for the detection of analytes in food analysis, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnosis have been discussed. The review concludes with a perspective on future developments in the field of bioengineered MWCNT-based sensors and their commercialization potential.