Nanomaterials in the development of biosensors: Application in the determination of pollutants in water

Abstract

In the last years, nanotechnologies have contributed to the development of miniaturized biosensor-based devices with high-throughput analytical properties. Biosensors technology is taking advantage of the latest developments in materials science. Nanomaterials with sizes or features ranging from 1 to 100 nm in one or more dimensions are the core of an emerging technological revolution. They show unique properties not found in conventional materials, such as light absorption and dispersion, high surface area to volume ratio, superior electrical conductivity, magnetic property, and unique physicochemical features which have promoted the usage of nanomaterials as catalytic tools, optical or electroactive labels, and immobilization platforms of biomolecules to enhance the biosensing performance to gain higher sensitivity, stability, and selectivity. The present chapter focuses the application of biosensors with incorporated nanotechnology in the determination of pollutants in water samples.