Functional One‐Dimensional Nanomaterials: Applications in Nanoscale Biosensors

Abstract

Nanostructures such as nanotubes (NTs), nanowires (NWs), and nanoparticles present new opportunities as sensing platforms for biological and environmental applications. Having micrometer‐scale lengths and nanometer‐scale diameters, NTs and NWs can be manipulated with current microfabrication, as well as self‐assembly techniques to fabricate nanoscale devices and sensors. Alignment, uniform dispersion, selective growth, and diameter control are parameters that are critical to the successful integration of nanostructures into sensors and devices. Overcoming these challenges should lead to sensors with better selectivity, sensitivity, and longer operational lifetime. This review discusses biosensors based on nanostructured material.

Keywords:

• Nanotube
• nanowire
• chemical functionalization
• biomolecules
• sensors
• membranes

Acknowledgments

NC thanks the Research Challenge Trust Fund of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a fellowship. The work described, in this review, from the authors laboratories was funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Army Research Laboratory under Cooperative Agreement No. W911NF‐04‐2‐0023. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Laboratory or the U.S. Government.