Noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes for highly specific electronic biosensors

TLDR

Nanomaterials are rapidly advancing for bioassay applications within nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology. The study investigates single‑walled carbon nanotubes as a platform to probe protein interactions and develop highly specific electronic biomolecule detectors. By immobilizing polyethylene oxide chains on the nanotubes to suppress nonspecific binding and attaching specific receptors to these chains, the authors enable selective protein recognition. This approach yields highly specific electronic sensors capable of detecting clinically relevant biomolecules, such as antibodies linked to autoimmune diseases.

Abstract

Novel nanomaterials for bioassay applications represent a rapidly progressing field of nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology. Here, we present an exploration of single-walled carbon nanotubes as a platform for investigating surface-protein and protein-protein binding and developing highly specific electronic biomolecule detectors. Nonspecific binding on nanotubes, a phenomenon found with a wide range of proteins, is overcome by immobilization of polyethylene oxide chains. A general approach is then advanced to enable the selective recognition and binding of target proteins by conjugation of their specific receptors to polyethylene oxide-functionalized nanotubes. This scheme, combined with the sensitivity of nanotube electronic devices, enables highly specific electronic sensors for detecting clinically important biomolecules such as antibodies associated with human autoimmune diseases.