Recent Advances in Nanomaterials‐Based FETs for SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19 Virus) Diagnosis

Abstract

The emergence of infectious diseases that are quickly spreading, like the coronavirus (COVID‐19), necessitates the development of efficient biosensors that can quickly detect and identify pathogens. It is essential to create sensitive virus detection methods in order to stop a virus from spreading throughout the world. It is determined that field‐effect transistors (FETs) made of nanomaterials are potential candidates for rapid virus identification due to how easily the electronic transport characteristics of such an atomically thin nanomaterial can be affected by perturbations. Various FETs in this review article are investigated that are based on nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, graphene‐oxide, and semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) WSe2 in order to show that they are promising biosensors in regards to quickly and precisely detect COVID‐19. The conjugation of nanomaterials with proteins enables the direct delivery of antiviral agents to the host cells. This method also minimizes the off‐target effects and enables the targeted interactions. This mechanism has produced encouraging results in regards to sensing or treating COVID‐19. The high surface area and extremely small size of nanomaterials make them crucial in regards to the development of new detection methods. The point‐of‐care test method of detection is quick, simple, and user‐friendly, and it only requires a small amount of a patient's blood. It does not require a laboratory or trained professionals. This overview of the current research that is conducted on nanomaterials will prove to be useful in the process of formulating strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination of viruses in opinion. Finally, the conclusion of this review provides a summary of the current challenges and the future prospects.