Recent Trends in Graphene/Polymer Nanocomposites for Sensing Devices: Synthesis and Applications in Environmental and Human Health Monitoring

Abstract

Graphene-based nanocomposites are largely explored for the development of sensing devices due to the excellent electrical and mechanical properties of graphene. These properties, in addition to its large specific surface area, make graphene attractive for a wide range of chemical functionalization and immobilization of (bio)molecules. Several techniques based on both top-down and bottom-up approaches are available for the fabrication of graphene fillers in pristine and functionalized forms. These fillers can be further modified to enhance their integration with polymeric matrices and substrates and to tailor the sensing efficiency of the overall nanocomposite material. In this review article, we summarize recent trends in the design and fabrication of graphene/polymer nanocomposites (GPNs) with sensing properties that can be successfully applied in environmental and human health monitoring. Functional GPNs with sensing ability towards gas molecules, humidity, and ultraviolet radiation can be generated using graphene nanosheets decorated with metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles. These nanocomposites were shown to be effective in the detection of ammonia, benzene/toluene gases, and water vapor in the environment. In addition, biological analytes with broad implications for human health, such as nucleic bases or viral genes, can also be detected using sensitive, graphene-based polymer nanocomposites. Here, the role of the biomolecules that are immobilized on the graphene nanomaterial as target for sensing is reviewed.

Evaluation of dosimetric characteristics of a ternary nanocomposite based on High Density Polyethylene/Bismuth Oxide/Graphene Oxide for gamma-rays

“…Impressively, the nanocomposite contains areas that are evenly distributed in a cauliflower-like structure. This structure has been observed in other studies 27 , 28 .…”

Packaging Materials Based on Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene Triblock Copolymer Modified with Graphene

“…The improvement of polymer stability requires an appropriate structure through which the free radicals are withdrawn from the degradation chain [ 65 ]. Graphene structures may be considered as the main component of nanomaterials [ 66 ], whose presence in the formulations brings about special features. However, the stability investigations were not reported, even though the spatial distribution of carbon layers allows the penetration of small particles [ 67 ].…”

Impact of Proton Irradiation on Medium Density Polyethylene/Carbon Nanocomposites for Space Shielding Applications

“…Nevertheless, if the effects of radiation on PE are well-known, studies on the response to radiation of CNTs and GNPs have been limited. However, several studies report applications of graphene/polymer nanocomposites for radiation sensing [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], exploiting the high electrical conductivity of the carbon filler. The numerical and experimental studies conducted so far indicate that CNTs are radiation-tolerant nanoparticles [ 23 , 24 ].…”