Graphene–Clay-Based Hybrid Nanostructures for Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors

Graphene technology is currently extremely popular in the field of sensor fabrication. The exclusive morphology, high thermal and chemical stability, well-known electrochemical properties of graphene and its related materials have created a way to fabricate sensors with mediatorless electrochemical detection. This type approach facilitates a high performing sensor as well as biosensor development with respect to sensitivity, specificity, stability, and precision of the detection. Graphene and its composites have contributed to various technological advances and scientific disciplines over the preceding decade. However, graphene has a large surface area and strong π–π interactions result in facile stacking which ultimately leads to poor energy storage. To overcome this, the introduction of suitable spacers is very important. Clay minerals are best suited as spacers due to their porous morphology and high stability. In this chapter we account the recent advancements in graphene, clay, and their composites, their promising features, and potential in sensing applications. We discuss the importance of graphene–clay nanohybrid sensors in detail, focusing on graphene–clay nanohybrid sensors as biosensors for biological molecules detection, drug molecules quantification, and gas sensing. As a final point, upcoming research prospects of graphene–clay nanohybrids applications and the challenges in this latest and rapidly growing domain are discussed.