Quantum Dots-Based Nanocomposites as Biosensors

Quantum dots (QD) are inorganic nanoparticles with unique optical and electronic properties, making them attractive candidates for biosensing applications. This chapter discusses the use of QD-based nanocomposites as biosensors for detecting a variety of biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules. QD can be functionalized with biomolecules such as antibodies, aptamers, and peptides, allowing for specific binding to target analytes. The resulting QD-biomolecule conjugates can then be incorporated into nanocomposites with other materials such as polymers, metals, or graphene, to enhance the sensitivity, stability, and selectivity of the biosensor. Various detection modalities, including fluorescence, electrochemistry, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, have been employed to detect the signal generated by QD-based biosensors. The performance of QD-based nanocomposite biosensors has been demonstrated in a wide range of applications, including environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and food safety. However, challenges such as toxicity, stability, and reproducibility still need to be addressed for the practical application of QD-based nanocomposites as biosensors. Overall, the use of QD-based nanocomposites as biosensors shows great promise for the development of highly sensitive and specific biosensing platforms.