Carbon Nanotube Field‐Effect‐Transistor‐Based Biosensors

TLDR

1D nanostructured materials, especially single‑walled carbon nanotubes, are of great interest for biological sensors because of their biocompatibility, size compatibility, and sensitivity to electrical perturbations, enabling studies of biomolecule interactions via conductivity changes. The review examines biomolecule interactions with carbon‑nanotube field‑effect transistors (NTFETs). It covers NTFET‑based sensing mechanisms and complementary microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. NTFET devices have been applied to detect proteins, antibody–antigen assays, DNA hybridization, and glucose‑related enzymatic reactions.

Abstract

Abstract There is an explosive interest in 1D nanostructured materials for biological sensors. Among these nanometer‐scale materials, single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) offer the advantages of possible biocompatibility, size compatibility, and sensitivity towards minute electrical perturbations. In particular, because of these inherent qualities, changes in SWNT conductivity have been explored in order to study the interaction of biomolecules with SWNTs. This Review discusses these interactions, with a focus on carbon nanotube field‐effect transistors (NTFETs). Recent examples of applications of NTFET devices for detection of proteins, antibody–antigen assays, DNA hybridization, and enzymatic reactions involving glucose are summarized. Examples of complementary techniques, such as microscopy and spectroscopy, are covered as well.