Abstract
Functionalizing agents enhance the photophysical properties of nanomaterials, thereby broadening their applications. Among these agents, cysteamine (SH-(CH(2))(2)-NH(2)) is unique because of its free thiol (-SH) and amino (-NH(2)) groups. The presence of free -SH or -NH(2) groups significantly enhances the functionalization of highly stable nanomaterials. These stable nanomaterials, which contain free -SH or -NH(2) groups, can effectively bind with biomedical, biomolecular, and environmental analytes, improving sensor performance and making them valuable materials. In this context, cysteamine-functionalized nanoparticles (NPs), quantum dots (QDs), nanoclusters (NCs), nanocomposites, and other nanostructures have been demonstrated to be useful for quantifying biomedical, biomolecular, and environmental analytes. To date, no review has outlined the functionalizing ability of cysteamine or the application of cysteamine-functionalized nanomaterials in biomedical, biomolecular, and environmental analyte monitoring. This review emphasizes the role of cysteamine in producing stable nanomaterials and detecting specific biomedical, biomolecular, and ecological analytes. It also covers general protocols for functionalizing with cysteamine, the mechanistic basis of analyte detection, and their advantages, limitations, and prospects.