The Promise and Potential of Graphene Derivatives in Biotechnology

The extensive range of applications associated with graphene and its derivatives has captivated the attention of nano biotechnologists due to their remarkable versatility. The 2D clan of graphene possesses exceptional physical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics, rendering it an extraordinary material with unparalleled properties. It is an allotrope of carbon which has a 2-dimensional hexagonal lattice structure. It has broad applicability in material science, physics, chemistry, biology, etc. Graphene is advantageous over other materials because (a) it is the finest and toughest material known to date; (b) It has a monolayer of carbon atoms that are transparent and also possess flexibility; (c) it acts as an excellent electrical and thermal conductor. Besides its natural availability, its demand has led to its synthesis using hierarchical and self-assembly methods. Modification of graphene according to various biological systems increases its solubility, selectivity, and compatibility. Graphene is used as a substrate interfacing with different biomolecules and cells as tissue scaffolds and to generate stem cells for regenerative medicines. Graphene and its derivatives are applied in drug delivery, gene delivery, biomolecule recognition, molecular medicine, bioassays, antibacterial compositions, biosensing, energy storage, and catalysis. Graphene derivatives have been recently used as theranostics in cancer because of their intrinsic photoluminescent properties and treatment of several microbial infections. Though graphene has been explored tremendously, studying the toxicity issues and its interaction with the environment and ecosystem is imperative. This chapter will uncover the different forms of graphene and its derivatives; its synthesis approaches, and various applications in biomedicine.