Nanomaterials-Based Sensors for Respiratory Viral Detection: A Review

Abstract

Contagious diseases are the principal cause of mortality, particularly respiratory viruses, a real menace for public health and economic development worldwide. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatments are the only lifesaving strategy to overcome any epidemic and particularly the ongoing prevailing pandemic COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. A rapid identification, point of care, portable, highly sensitive, stable, and inexpensive device is the needed which is exceptionally satisfied by sensors. Consequently, the researchers have directed their attention to employing sensors targeting multiple analyses of pathogenic detections across the world. Nanostructured materials (nanoparticles, nanowires, nanobundles, etc.), owing to their unique characteristics such as large surface-to-volume ratio and nanoscale interactions, are widely employed to fabricate facile sensors to meet all the immediate emerging challenges and threats. This review is anticipated to foster researchers in developing advanced nanomaterials-based sensors for the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the globe. The mechanism of respiratory viral detection by nanomaterials-based sensors has been reported. Moreover, the advantages, disadvantages, and their comparison with conventional sensors are summarized. Furthermore, we have highlighted the challenges and future potential of these sensors for achieving efficient and rapid detection.

Applications of nanotechnology in smart textile industry: A critical review

“… [142] . Carbon-based nano-materials such as carbon nanofibers, graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been broadly examined for use as light weight, flexible, and high strain sensors, which may be used in the fields of smart garments, health monitoring, and human motion detection [143] , [144] , [145] . Carbon-based nanoparticles have been produced using different techniques and are homogeneously dispersed within polymers for application as strain sensors.…”

Nanomaterials‐based sensors for the detection of COVID‐19: A review

“…In this sensor, the inorganic nanomaterials facilitate the electrical conductivity, while the organic part of the film allows the adsorption of VOCs. 42 , 82 , 83 When the analyte is exposed to this biosensor, the VOCs encounter the sensing layer and interact with the organic element, the functional group present in the inorganic nanomaterials. These interactions result in a change in the volume of the nanomaterial layer and create a difference in conductivity.…”

“…Nanomaterials and nanocomposites are better preferred in biosensors' development because of their contribution in enhancing the surface area of the biosensors. 42 This causes more bio receptors to link to the analyte, which will give the sensor a better detection range and improve its sensitivity. This was clearly realized in the study of Han et al who used this technique to detect H1N1, H5N1, and H7N9 viruses 110 using ZnO nanorods grown in polydimethylsiloxane solution.…”

“…Coupled with the remarkable physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of nanomaterials, biosensors shall become a fundamental tool in the field of viral theranostics. 42 , 43 , 44 …”

Design and simulation of a millifluidic device for differential detection of SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 based on triboelectricity

“…Subsequently, nanozyme-based [16] , fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based [17] , optical [18] , piezoelectric and magnetostrictive [19] , surface acoustic wave [20] , and electrochemical [21] immunosensors have been developed up to this point for the detection of viral respiratory infections. Among them, nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors have grabbed attention owing to their ability to directly identify the analyte in low concentrations with increased sensitivity and reduced response time and signal noise [22] . In addition, electrochemical biosensors are the most consistent with the general trend toward acceleration and simplification of the bioanalytical process [23] .…”