Nitrocellulose Membrane for Paper-based Biosensor

Biosensor provides a useful tool for earlier diagnosis of disease, food safety and environment monitoring at resource-limited settings. Paper is green and porous material and has been used to fabricate various biosensors due to its low cost, degradability, portability, flexibility, biocompatibility and capillary force-enabling fluid transfer. Nitrocellulose (NC) membrane as a promising as substrate material has been extensively utilized to fabricate various paper-based biosensors owing to easy to bind protein with high efficiency. However, the deep understanding of the research advances of NC membrane in various paper-based biosensors limits its widespread applications. To achieve this purpose, in this review, we firstly present raw materials and fabrication techniques of NC membrane. Next, the rational design of NC for different applications is discussed. Additionally, the recent emerging applications of NC membrane are also covered. Finally, the critical challenges and future perspectives are illustrated.