Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, graphene oxide, transition metal oxide, MXene and others have shown high potential for the design and fabrication of various sensors and biosensors due to their 2D layered structure and unique properties. Compared to traditional fluorescent, electrochemical, and electrical biosensors, colorimetric biosensors exhibit several advantages including naked-eye determination, low cost, quick response, and easy fabrication. In this review, we present recent advances in the design, fabrication, and applications of 2D material-based high-performance colorimetric biosensors. Potential colorimetric sensing mechanisms and optimal material selection as well as sensor fabrication are introduced in brief. In addition, colorimetric biosensors based on different 2D materials such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenide/oxide, MXenes, metal–organic frameworks, and metal nanoplates for the sensitive detection of DNA, proteins, viruses, small molecules, metallic ions, and others are presented and discussed in detail. This work will be helpful for readers to understand the knowledge of 2D material modification, nanozymes, and the synthesis of hybrid materials; meanwhile, it could be valuable to promote the design, fabrication, and applications of 2D material-based sensors and biosensors in quick bioanalysis and disease diagnostics.

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Nanomaterial-based phototherapy has become an important research direction for cancer therapy, but it still to face some obstacles, such as the toxic side effects and low target specificity. The biomimetic synthesis of nanomaterials using biomolecules is a potential strategy to improve photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) techniques due to their endowed biocompatibility, degradability, low toxicity, and specific targeting. This review presents recent advances in the biomolecule-mimetic synthesis of functional nanomaterials for PTT and PDT of cancers. First, we introduce four biomimetic synthesis methods via some case studies and discuss the advantages of each method. Then, we introduce the synthesis of nanomaterials using some biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, protein, peptide, polydopamine, and others, and discuss in detail how to regulate the structure and functions of the obtained biomimetic nanomaterials. Finally, potential applications of biomimetic nanomaterials for both PTT and PDT of cancers are demonstrated and discussed. We believe that this work is valuable for readers to understand the mechanisms of biomimetic synthesis and nanomaterial-based phototherapy techniques, and will contribute to bridging nanotechnology and biomedicine to realize novel highly effective cancer therapies.

Functional nanomaterials as nanodrugs based on the self‐assembly of inorganics, polymers, and biomolecules have showed wide applications in biomedicine and tissue engineering. Ascribing to the unique biological, chemical, and physical properties of peptide molecules, peptide is used as an excellent precursor material for the synthesis of functional nanodrugs for highly effective cancer therapy. Herein, recent progress on the design, synthesis, functional regulation, and cancer bioimaging and biotherapy of peptide‐based nanodrugs is summarized. For this aim, first molecular design and controllable synthesis of peptide nanodrugs with 0D to 3D structures are presented, and then the functional customization strategies for peptide nanodrugs are presented. Then, the applications of peptide‐based nanodrugs in bioimaging, chemotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are demonstrated and discussed in detail. Furthermore, peptide‐based drugs in preclinical, clinical trials, and approved are briefly described. Finally, the challenges and potential solutions are pointed out on addressing the questions of this promising research topic. This comprehensive review can guide the motif design and functional regulation of peptide nanomaterials for facile synthesis of nanodrugs, and further promote their practical applications for diagnostics and therapy of diseases.

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The detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is of great significance in the environmental monitoring, enzymatic reactions, and disease diagnosis. Here we present the peptide-mediated biomimetic synthesis of ultrafine platinum nanowires...

Understanding the self‐assembly behavior of peptides is crucial for the design and synthesis of functional peptide‐based nanomaterials for various applications. In this study, a bifunctional peptide molecule with a sequence of KIIIIKYWYAF is designed, which reveals multiple functions for self‐assembling formation of peptide nanofibers (PNFs), noncovalent graphene oxide (GO) binding, and biomimetic metallization of nanoparticles (NPs). Well‐defined PNFs are obtained through the optimization of experimental conditions, which are further utilized to bind with GO to form GO/PNF nanohybrids via noncovalent interactions. Ascribed to the biomimetic function of peptide molecules, bimetallic gold‐platinum NPs (Au‐Pt NPs) are created along the PNFs by metallic ion adsorption and subsequent chemical reduction. The synthesized GO/PNF/Au‐Pt nanohybrids reveal improved electrochemical activity compared to Au, Pt, and Au‐Pt NPs, indicating potential contributions of both GO and PNFs to the final electrochemical sensing performance of the GO/PNF/Au‐Pt‐based electrodes. The fabricated electrochemical non‐enzymatic biosensors exhibit a detection limit of 0.379 µm and linear detection ranges of 1 µm–1 mm and 1–20 mm. The current study provides a facile strategy for the creation of peptide‐based superstructures with multiple functions and will inspire the design and synthesis of graphene‐peptide based nanomaterials for biomedicine, tissue engineering, and bioanalysis applications.