Daniel Izquierdo

Two-dimensional materials (2MD) have emerged as a transformative platform for biomedical sensing owing to their unique properties. Over the past decade, 2DM, such as graphene and MXenes have enabled sensing concepts with the potential to surpass the sensitivity, speed, and miniaturization limits of conventional technologies. When combined with other innovative materials such as aptamers or magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), a range of components can be developed. From electrochemical electrodes and field effect transistor channels to conductive inks and triboelectric nanogenerators, these components offer a variety of biomedical applications that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare. This Roadmap reviews the current state of 2DM-based biomedical sensing within four EU-funded Horizon Europe projects under the Graphene Flagship, identifies key scientific and technological barriers, and outlines priority research directions for the short (2027) and mid-term (2030) future. The analysis focuses on the materials, various components comprising these materials, and several biomedical applications that are currently being researched within the overall biomedical focus of the Graphene Flagship Initiative. By consolidating expert perspectives from the four consortia, this roadmap aims to guide coordinated efforts to accelerate the transition of 2DM from laboratory demonstrations to robust, scalable, and impactful biomedical sensing technologies.

Electrochemical biosensors are becoming increasingly prevalent across medical, food, and bioprocessing industries for monitoring complex biological processes. However, their sensitivity to contamination and exposure to potentially hazardous biological species often necessitates single-use disposal, contributing to the release of high-value, high-demand, and environmentally damaging materials into the environment. This study investigates the feasibility of a closed-loop recycling process for single-use glucose biosensors, with a focus on the recovery and reuse of noble metals silver and gold. Guided by ecodesign principles and using low-impact materials, we developed a silver screen ink, gold syringe ink, and a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) substrate. Sensors were fabricated by additive manufacturing and screen printing—enabling the scalability afforded by screen printing to produce the high-coverage silver layer while also minimising gold ink waste using additive manufacturing. A low-energy recovery method that exploited selective solvent compatibility was developed to reclaim silver and gold. Second-generation devices were then fabricated, demonstrating performance comparable to commercial equivalents while achieving an 80% reduction in material usage, cost, and environmental impact across 16 categories using a life cycle assessment (LCA).

Electrochemical biosensors are becoming increasingly prevalent across medical, food, and bioprocessing industries for monitoring complex biological processes. However, their sensitivity to contamination and exposure to potentially hazardous biological species often necessitates single-use disposal, contributing to the release of high-value, high-demand, and environmentally damaging materials into the environment. This study investigates the feasibility of a closed-loop recycling process for single-use glu-cose biosensors, with a focus on the recovery and reuse of noble metals silver and gold. Guided by ecodesign principles and using low impact materials we developed a silver screen ink, gold syringe ink, and a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) substrate. Sensors were fab-ricated by additive manufacturing and screen printing - enabling the scalability afforded by screen printing to produce the high coverage silver layer, while also minimising gold ink waste using additive manufacturing. A low-energy recovery method that exploited selective solvent compatibility was developed to reclaim silver and gold. Sec-ond-generation devices were then fabricated, demonstrating performance comparable to commercial equivalents while achieving an 80% reduction in material usage, cost, and environmental impact across 15 categories using life cycle assessment (LCA).

A new transducer based on a screen-printed carbon electrode has been developed for the quantification of thiram. Detection of this fungicide is based on the performance of two enzymes: (1) aldehyde dehydrogenase catalyzes the aldehyde oxidation using NAD⁺ as a cofactor and simultaneously, (2) diaphorase reoxidizes the NADH formed in the first enzymatic process due to the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III) which is reduced to hexacyanoferrate(II). Taking into account that aldehyde dehydrogenase is inhibited by thiram, the current decreases with pesticide concentration and thiram can be electrochemically quantified below legal limits. The transducer proposed in this work involves the modification of the carbon WE with the co-factors (NAD⁺ and hexacyanoferrate(III)) required in the enzymatic system. The new device employed in this work allows the detection of 0.09 ppm thiram, a concentration below legal limits (Maximum Residue Limits 0.1–10 ppm).

Chemical and physical properties of metal nanoparticles (NPs) are determined not only by the synthesis method used to prepare them but also by the experimental conditions under the generation process takes place. One of the most important factors in the synthesis of NPs is the presence of complexing agents in the media that can change the size and shape of the NPs. The significant role of different complexing agents (cyanide, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and ethylenediamine) in the electrochemical formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been analyzed by time‐resolved Raman spectroelectrochemistry. Electrochemical and spectroscopic responses, obtained simultaneously, provide suitable information about the changes that occur on the platinum electrode surface during the AgNPs electrodeposition. The morphology of AgNPs has been analyzed by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroelectrochemistry, providing additional information and a detailed view of the electrodeposition process. The influence of the complexing agent used to generate AgNPs has been studied analyzing the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect of the modified substrate. Raman spectra show different SERS behavior depending on the complexing agent and therefore on the AgNPs generated. The relationship between SERS signals and the morphology of AgNPs has been displayed by scanning electron microscopy images. Time‐resolved Raman spectroelectrochemistry confirms that chemical mechanism is necessary for SERS effect.