Electrochemical Biosensing Based on Nucleic Acid Adsorption on Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials: A Review

Abstract

Electrochemical biosensing based on nucleic acid adsorption on two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials offers several advantages over conventional biosensing techniques, such as higher sensitivity and selectivity. Thus, great efforts have been undertaken to develop biosensing platforms that exploit the unique properties of 2D nanomaterials, such as their high surface area, thereby facilitating nucleic acid adsorption and electrochemical property modulation for signal transduction. Adsorption-based biosensing is simple and straightforward, without the requirement of lengthy procedures or additional chemicals for the modification of probes and sensing surfaces. Nucleic acids can be adsorbed on 2D nanomaterials through π–π stacking, van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and ion bridging. This review discusses the factors that affect nucleic acid adsorption on 2D nanomaterials, including the presence of metal ions, pH, incubation time, and probe concentration. Controlling these factors may be beneficial during biosensor development and contribute to improved sensitivity. Further, this review will inform the researchers to better design their biosensing platforms via setting better parameters and controls for comparison and understanding, which will help in the development of future biosensing technology using 2D nanomaterials.