Graphene and graphene oxide: Functionalization and nano-bio-catalytic system for enzyme immobilization and biotechnological perspective

Graphene-based nanomaterials have gained high research interest in different fields related to proteins and thus are rapidly becoming the most widely investigated carbon-based materials. Their exceptional physiochemical properties such as electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical strength enable graphene to render graphene-based nanostructured materials suitable for applications in different fields such as electroanalytical chemistry, electrochemical sensors and immobilization of biomolecules and enzymes. The structural feature of oxygenated graphene, i.e., graphene oxide (GO) covered with different functionalities such as epoxy, hydroxyl, and carboxylic group, open a new direction of chemical modification of GO with desired properties. This review describes the recent progress related to the structural geometry, physiochemical characteristics, and functionalization of GO, and the development of graphene-based novel carriers as host for enzyme immobilization. Graphene derivatives-based applications are progressively increasing, in recent years. Therefore, from the bio-catalysis and biotransformation viewpoint, the biotechnological perspective of graphene-immobilized nano-bio-catalysts is of supreme interest. The structural geometry, unique properties, and functionalization of graphene derivatives and graphene-based nanomaterials as host for enzyme immobilization are highlighted in this review. Also, the role of GO-based catalytic systems such as microfluidic bio-catalysis, enzyme-based biofuel cells, and biosensors are also discussed with potential future perspectives of these multifaceted materials.