Nanomaterial-Based Bio-Detection

Introduction

Nanomaterials are in the midst of rapid development owing to their potential applications in almost all scientific fields (Cao & Wang, 2004). With daily technological advancements, novel properties of nanomaterials and nanotechnology are being discovered, studied, and utilized in medicine, diagnostic, forensic, pharmaceutical, clinical, industrial, agricultural, environmental monitoring and safety purposes (Perfézou et al., 2012; Zhang et al., 2009). Several nanomaterial types have already been synthesized and utilized for such purposes; among which carbon nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, graphene, and hybrid nanocomposites are widely used because of their optical, thermal and structural properties (Chen & Chatterjee, 2013; Yang et al., 2015).

Owing to the complexity of forensic analysis procedures, it is necessary to develop highly efficient and rapid technological methods that can provide accurate results with limited available evidence. Most of the time, the evidence secured from a crime scene is either partially degraded, impure, or in trace amounts (C. Liu et al., 2019). Furthermore, securing and preserving this evidence is always at risk of compromise as it requires a great deal of accuracy. In this regard, nanotechnology, illustrated in Figure 1, has gained a high level of interest in the forensic field because it offers rapid results and ease in complex analytical procedures (Hagarová, 2020).

Figure 1.

Application of nanotechnology in forensics

Many conventional methods that are widely used in forensic applications have significant downfalls. For instance, manual extraction and isolation of DNA from biological samples leads to denaturation (Abdulrahman & Ghanem, 2018). The latent fingerprinting powders used in fingerprint development most often lead to overlapping of granules, resulting in distorted results. However, the detection and isolation of toxic substances and illicit drugs are complex and expensive (Chan et al., 2020; Sanli et al., 2020). Conventional methods for the detection of explosives and chemical warfare substances are inadequate because they lack in terms of sensitivity and selectivity (A. S. Lodha et al., 2016; Rawtani et al., 2019). Aside from this, forensic field heavily lacks in rapid and accurate detection of biological, chemical, and toxic substances for on-site crime scene analysis (Nadar et al., 2021). To overcome these shortcomings, nanoparticles have been utilized in several forensic analytical techniques because of their modifiable properties. The utilization of nanomaterials in the field of forensics, giving rise to nano-forensics, see Figure 2, has helped enhance the investigation process and provide accurate and time-efficient results (Anuradha & Bhatia, 2022).

Figure 2.

Utilization of nanomaterial in forensics

The latest advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the detection of trace evidence such as DNA from gunshot residues, fingerprints, trace explosives, and heavy metals (Ganesh, 2016). The nano dimensions of various nanoparticles, such as nanotubes, quantum dots, nanorods, nanofibers, and supramolecules, provide them with a high surface area that increases molecular interactions and exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity (El-Ansary & Faddah, 2010; Huang et al., 2010; Xu et al., 2009).