Biosensing Applications of Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials

The advent of two-dimensional nanomaterials has transformed the field of biosensing by offering ultrathin platforms with exceptional surface-to-volume ratios that amplify interactions with biological species. Atomically thin layers of graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides and related compounds present unique electronic, optical and chemical properties that can be tailored through layer control, defect engineering and surface functionalisation. Such materials facilitate label-free detection of a broad spectrum of analytes, from small metabolites to proteins and nucleic acids. The high carrier mobility and tunable band structure of two-dimensional semiconductors enable field-effect transistor (FET) sensors capable of registering minute changes in charge distribution upon analyte binding. Concurrently, platforms based on surface plasmon resonance and electrochemical transduction capitalise on the strong light–matter and surface redox interactions of these nanosheets. Advances in defect engineering, such as grain-boundary control, have further enhanced sensitivity by providing abundant active sites for molecular adsorption. Together, these innovations have yielded devices with rapid response times, ultralow limits of detection and potential for integration into portable and wearable diagnostics systems, marking a paradigm shift towards real-time, point-of-care healthcare and environmental monitoring.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have advanced the understanding of two-dimensional biosensing platforms by exploring defect-engineered materials and dielectric-free operation. Polycrystalline monolayer films of transition metal dichalcogenides with high-density grain boundaries have been produced to serve as plasmonic sensors, achieving attomolar sensitivity for heavy-metal ions through enhanced adsorption at defect sites. Foundational work on molybdenum disulfide-based field-effect biosensors has demonstrated label-free detection of protein biomarkers at picogram-per-millilitre levels without the need for additional dielectric layers, simplifying device architecture while improving sensitivity. These seminal contributions have established key principles for defect and surface-charge modulation in atomically thin biosensors, laying the groundwork for next-generation devices.

Biosensing Applications of Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biosensing applications of two-dimensional nanomaterials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Materials consisting of one or a few atomic layers, offering high surface area and unique electronic properties.

Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs): A class of layered semiconductors with formula MX2, where M is a transition metal and X is a chalcogen, exhibiting tunable band gaps.

Field-Effect Transistor (FET): A device where an electric field modulates current flow, used in biosensors to detect charge alterations on the sensor surface.

Limit of Detection (LOD): The minimum concentration of an analyte that can be reliably distinguished from a blank signal.

Label-Free Detection: Sensing methodology that identifies analytes directly, without the need for fluorescent or radioactive tags.

References

1. A Novel Biosensing Approach: Improving SnS2 FET Sensitivity with a Tailored Supporter Molecule and Custom Substrate. Advanced Science (2023).
2. Two-Dimensional Material-Based Electrochemical Sensors/Biosensors for Food Safety and Biomolecular Detection. Biosensors (2022).
3. Grain-boundary-rich polycrystalline monolayer WS2 film for attomolar-level Hg2+ sensors. Nature Communications (2021).
4. Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Based Biosensors: From Fundamentals to Healthcare Applications. Biosensors (2023).