Electrochemical sensing based on carbon nanoparticles: A review

Abstract

Abstract The emergence of nanoscience and nanotechnology has opened up new horizons to researchers. In this regard, carbon nanomaterials are considered as the cornerstone of numerous investigations. Among various carbon nanostructures, “Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs)” have attracted a great deal of attention during the past few years due to their unique properties such as high surface area, non-toxicity, biocompatibility as well as simple and low-cost synthetic procedures via environmentally friendly routes. Thanks to these properties along with their interesting optical behavior, CNPs have found diverse applications in the fields of bioimaging, nanomedicine, photo/electro-catalysis, and bio/chemical sensing. Moreover, their fascinating electrochemical properties including high effective surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, electrocatalytic activity as well as high porosity and adsorption capability, turn them to potential candidate for electrochemical purposes particularly sensing. The recent article, comprehensively reviews the usage of CNPs in design and construction of electrochemical sensors. It starts with a brief introduction of their properties and synthesis methods, then presents the electrode modification procedures, and finally come up with an overview of the proposed electrochemical sensing platforms based on CNPs. We hope that the recent review article will illuminate new lights in the minds of researchers active in this area and incorporates to promote the activities in this field of research.