Graphene nanoribbons: A cutting-edge material for the point-of-care cancer biomarker detection

Graphene nanoribbon (GNRs), being quasi-one-dimensional strips of single-layer graphene, are a fascinating material among the others in the graphene family due to their unique edge and width-oriented semiconducting properties. Possible to be formed using both the top-down and bottom-up synthesis routes, GNRs are available in numerous forms, including zig-zag, armchair, chiral, chevron, cove, and gulf structures, each resulting in an exceptional set of physicochemical properties suitable for a variety of specific applications. Recent research has shown the exceptional applicability of GNRs in the biomedical field, since the possibility of covalent and non-covalent functionalization of GNRs generates an excellent platform for the immobilization of biological molecules and their biosensing, also those present in ultra-low quantities. This systematic review aims to present the potential of GNRs in the field of the electrochemical detection of cancer biomarkers, which should be identified as early as possible for the accurate diagnosis and prognosis. After providing a concise introduction to GNRs, including their classification, properties, and synthesis routes, this review discusses recent developments in GNRs-based point-of-care detection methods, highlighting their great potential in biosensing and enlightening their prospects in future research. • This review presents the potential of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) in biosensing. • The focus is put on the detection of cancer biomarkers. • Physicochemical and mechanical properties of GNRs are related to sensing ability. • GNRs characteristics is derived from their synthesis and modification routes. • Outlook to the application of GNRs in point-of-care device fabrication is provided.