Immobilization of biorecognition molecules on O2 plasma-functionalized SWCNT electrodes for biosensors

Abstract

Biointerfaces capable of biological recognition and specificity are very important for the development of carbon nanotube based biosensors. Here, we explore experimentally the effects of O2 plasma treatment on the biomolecule immobilization properties of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) electrodes for electrochemical biosensing. The SWCNT film was integrated into an electrochemical three-electrode system on a glass substrate and then treated with an O2 plasma to improve its electrochemical response. Glucose oxidases, antibodies, and deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) were covalently immobilized on the plasma-functionalized (pf) SWCNT working electrodes, and the electrochemical and bioelectrocatalytic properties of three biomolecular assemblies generated on the pf-SWCNT electrodes were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, square-wave voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. The pf-SWCNT films were found to provide electrochemical biosensing electrodes having high electroactivity and sensitivity for detecting glucoses, antigens, and DNA molecules.