Fullerene and Fullerene Derivatives for Biosensing and Medical Diagnosis Applications

Carbon is a crucial and essential element; it has several allotropes with different properties. The discovery of C60 Buckminsterfullerene, the third allotropic form after graphite and diamond, revolutionized the field of carbon nanomaterials. Fullerenes are spherical, usually containing sp2 hybridized 60-carbon atoms and very stable structures. It has numerous applications, ranging from electronics to medicine, because of its special chemical and physical features. Examples are electronic batteries, solar cells, controlled drug release, catalysis, pharmacokinetic, and sensor applications. This study will emphasize the use of fullerene and its derivatives in sensor systems. In recent years, sensor technology has become very interesting because it allows fast, economical, and selective measurement. The development process of a sensor is always challenging. Sensitivity and selectivity can be demanding, but using nanomaterials to improve sensors is provided to overcome this challenge. A high size/volume ratio lead to immobilizing more (bio)recognition receptor. Therefore, nanomaterials are necessary immobilization materials for sensors. Fullerenes are especially recently preferred nanomaterials with their advantages such as conductivity and large surface area. This book chapter will explain the use of fullerene and fullerene derivatives in electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric sensor systems with examples from medical applications.