Application of Photocatalytic Nanomaterials in Photoelectrochemical Biosensors

Abstract

Recently, photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors are becoming the rising star in biosensing analysis because of their high potential to construct different biosensors with high sensitivity, selectivity, and low cost. It is well-known that semiconductor materials with intrinsic large band gaps limit their applications in the range of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Moreover, UV light is somewhat too energetic and has a destructive effect on biomolecules. By introducing metal nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials, and even organic molecules into semiconductor materials, the light response window for these functionalized nanocomposites can be extended to the visible light region. In this review, we mainly discuss PEC biosensors' applications based on different state-of-the-art nanocomposites in three aspects, including the environmental field, food safety field, and medical field. The design principle and performance of PEC biosensors are systematically analysed. And we also briefly look forward to the development trend of this kind of PEC biosensors in the future.