CHAPTER 4: Graphene-based Disposable Sensors

Arousing attention has been directed worldwide towards the development of cheap disposable sensors for the detection of clinically important compounds, food contaminants, pesticides and heavy metal ions. One of the most successful disposable sensors to date is the glucometer and its market is likely to reach 15.4 billion dollars by 2026. Keeping the success of the glucometer in mind, scientists continue to search for similar disposable sensors to detect other important biomolecules using nanomaterials. Undoubtedly, one of the most promising two-dimensional nanomaterials is graphene because of its high flexibility, light weight, high surface area, good electrical conductivity and biocompatibility. Graphene and its functionalized forms including graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide are becoming attractive materials in sensors because of their attractive physical and chemical properties. Although many fantastic reviews and book chapters have been devoted to highlight the developments in the usage of graphene for a variety of sensing applications no attempt has been made to review its application as disposable sensors. Therefore, this chapter aims to cover the synthesis, fabrication and application of graphene as disposable sensors in healthcare.