Label-free detection of zinc oxide nanowire using a graphene wrapping method

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) have been attempted to various applications, such as piezoelectric devices, energy harvesting devices, self-powered nanosensors, and biomedical devices. However, recent reports have shown the toxic effect of ZnO NWs. In this report, we described the detection of ZnO NWs, for the first time using reduced graphene oxide (RGO) wrapping method. By wrapping RGO to ZnO NW (RGO–ZnO NW), we are able to aggregate ZnO NWs and increase the sensing performance. The detection measurement is based on the resonance frequency shift derived from mass variation of RGO–ZnO NW adsorption on the DNA immobilized resonator. The resonator is able to detect ZnO NWs with detection limit of 100ngmL−1 which is 2 order below the fatal toxic concentration of ZnO NWs in Human Monocyte Macrophages (HMMs). Furthermore, the resonator is able to detect ZnO NWs in real tap water, showing the potential as ZnO NWs screening platform in real environmental aqua system.