Role of nanostructured silicon in revolutionizing biosensors

Abstract

  Biosensors, a remarkable fusion of bioreceptors, transducers, and amplifiers, stand as versatile analytical tools capable of detecting a wide spectrum of analytes including heavy metal ions, carbohydrates, amino acids, gases, and disease-associated substances. This comprehensive review underscores the diverse types, classifications, and applications of biosensors.  This review summarizes the leading advancements in porous silicon (PSi)  based biosensors, achieved over the past few years. The cost-effective fabrication process, the high internal surface area, the tunable pore size, and the photonic properties made the PSi an appealing transducing substrate for biosensing purposes, with applications in different research fields. Different optical PSi biosensors are reviewed and different biorecognition elements immobilized on the surface of the transducing material. The adoption of these nanomaterials in biosensors capitalizes on their inherent attributes of heightened sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability.  Nanobiosensors, borne from the convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and sensor engineering, are primed to revolutionize the healthcare and diagnostics.

Keywords: Biosensor, porous silicon, nanomaterials, nanosensor