Biosensors Nanotechnology

Chapter 5

Graphene: Insights of its Application in Electrochemical Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring

G.A. Álvarez-Romero¹, G. Alarcon-Angeles² and A. Merkoçi^3*

¹Autonomous University of State of Hidalgo, Academic Area of Chemistry, Hidalgo, Mexico

²Metropolitan Autonomous University, Xochimilco Department of Biological Systems Mexico City, Mexico

³ICREA and Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), Barcelona, Spain

*Corresponding author: [e-mail].

Abstract

Due to their advantages over common analytical techniques, interest in using electrochemical sensors for monitoring chemical species of environmental interest has risen in recent years. Nanomaterials for electrochemical sensing have proved to be very useful in the development of novel tools for environment pollution monitoring. Graphene (GR), in particular, has been recognized as a promising material for the modification of electrodes used as (bio) sensors due to its unique chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Selectivity and/or specificity of (bio)sensors has been improved using electrodes modified with various receptors. In literature, there has been reported some scientific research towards electrochemical sensors based on GR, which makes these devices promising for monitoring environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, phenol compounds, among others. In this chapter we describe the advances on the construction of electrochemical ...