The Affordable Nanomaterial Carbon Black as Nanomodifier for Smart (Bio)Sensors

The nanomaterials in the recent decades have provided a relevant footprint in the development of smart and sensitive electrochemical (bio)sensors. Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991, these have largely been used in electrochemical sensors for implementing their analytical features, namely sensitivity, robustness, and storage/working stability. Nowadays, graphene is the carbonbased nanomaterial largely used due to its outstanding features, including large surface area and charge carrier mobility. Among carbon-based nanomaterials, recently carbon black has been re-discovered for the development of electrochemical (bio)sensors, exploiting its outstanding electroanalytical features such as improved electron transfer and resistance to fouling. Furthermore, carbon black can be used as received by suppliers without any chemical and physical treatment. In addition, its cost-effectiveness (approx. 1 ε/Kg) and the easiness of obtaining a stable dispersion are added values for the delivery of cheap and reproducible carbon black-based sensors. Herein, I will highlight the multifarious uses of carbon black in the development of smart and cost-effective electrochemical (bio)sensors by using carbon black alone or combined with other nanomaterials or biocomponents.