Multifunctional reduced graphene oxide and metal nanocomposites for potential electrochemical and fluorometric detection of biomolecules

Abstract

Graphene, a wonder material isolated by Novoselov and Geim (2004), has gained worldwide attention due to their excellent physical, as well as chemical properties. Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon and is arranged in a hexagonal lattice, resembling a honey comb structure. The incredible properties of this wonder material include good conductivity, the thinnest material known, exceptionally strong, and interesting optical and light absorbing abilities. It is because of these properties it can be applied in a wide range of applications such as biology, chemistry, industry, medical, and engineering. Graphene alone or combined with other materials (metals, gases, polymers) can be used in various applications such as batteries, sensors, transistors, computer chips, energy generation, supercapacitors, DNA sequencing, water filters, antennas, touchscreens (for LCD or OLED displays), solar cells, and spintronics-related products. The combination of graphene with other compounds such as metals, polymers, and gases render enhanced properties and is therefore worthy for any kind of application. Graphene gained world-wide attention, especially since the 2010 Nobel prize in physics went to Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who first isolated Graphene in 2004. Production of high-quality graphene is a challenge and many novel methods are reported like hummers, scotch tape, electrodeposition, etc. Graphene-based sensors have gained much attention since they help monitor biomarkers related to health, environment monitoring of pollutants, gas sensors, etc. Sensors can be either optical or electrochemical based; however, pointof- care devices are gaining momentum recently. The present study synthesized graphene-based nanocomposites which are successfully utilized for the detection of biomolecules and a fungal toxin. Graphene oxide (GO) is combined with different metals such as nickel and silver for fabricating graphenemetal oxide nanocomposites. The reduced form of graphene (reduced graphene oxide, rGO) has similar pro