DNA detection using a light-emitting polymer single nanowire

Functionalization of light-emitting poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) nanowires (NWs) with probe-DNA (p-DNA) and their label-free recognition of target-DNA (t-DNA) were correlated quantitatively with both the photoluminescence (PL) color and intensity of P3MT NWs.     

Patterned growth of vertically aligned silicon nanowire arrays for label-free DNA detection using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Patterning is of paramount importance in many areas of modern science and technology. As a good candidate for novel nanoscale optoelectronics and miniaturized molecule sensors, vertically aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW) with controllable location and orientation is highly desirable. In this study, we developed an effective procedure for the fabrication of vertically aligned SiNW arrays with micro-sized features by using single-step photolithography and silver nanoparticle-induced chemical etching at room temperature. We demonstrated that the vertically aligned SiNW arrays can be used as a platform for label-free DNA detection using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), where the inherent “fingerprint” SERS spectra allows for the differentiation of closely related biospecies. Since the SiNW array patterns could be modified by simply varying the mask used in the photolithographic processing, it is expected that the methodology can be used to fabricate label-free DNA microarrays and may be applicable to tissue engineering, which aims to create living tissue substitutes from cells seeded onto 3D scaffolds.

Electric detection of target DNA by fabricating gold nanowire bridges on planar nanogap electrodes

For the electrical detection of target DNA (partial avian influenza virus/H1N1/HA sequence) prepared via asymmetric PCR, we fabricated DNA-templated conducting gold nanowire bridges on planar nanogap electrodes using positively charged gold nanoparticles.     

Templateless room-temperature assembly of nanowire networks from nanoparticles

We demonstrate a new, room-temperature approach to assemble two-dimensional and three-dimensional networks of gold nanowires by agitating nanoparticles in a toluene-aqueous mixture, without the use of templates. The nanowires have a uniform diameter of about 5 nm and consist of coalesced face-centered cubic nanocrystals. Toluene molecules passivate the gold surfaces during nanoparticle coalescence, rendering the nanowires hydrophobic and enabling their transfer into the toluene layer. Such templateless low-temperature assembly of mesostructures from nanoscale building blocks open up new possibilities for creating porous self-supporting nanocatalysts, nanowires for device interconnection, and low-density high-strength nanofillers for composites.     

Three-dimensional electrically interconnected nanowire networks formed by diffusion bonding

We demonstrate a new strategy to bond nanowires (NWs) using diffusion bonding of gold (Au). The strategy was used to form very large scale, electrically interconnected 3D NW networks composed of both homogeneous and heterogeneous (multisegmented) NWs. The size of the networks ranged from tens of micrometers to millimeters. We have measured the electrical characteristics of the networks and explored one application of the networks in 3D spatial chemical sensing.     

Ultra-sensitive detection of bacterial toxin with silicon nanowire transistor

Nanowire field effect transistors (nano-FET) were lithographically fabricated using 50 nm doped polysilicon nanowires attached to two small gold terminals separated from each other by a approximately 150 nm gap to serve as the basis for electronic detection of bacteria toxins. The device characterizations, semiconducting properties and use in a robust and sensitive bio-molecular detection sensor of bacterial toxins were reported in this work. The device characteristics were demonstrated with varying gate and drain voltages. The bio-molecular detection was demonstrated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), using Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin B (SEB) as the target molecule. The detection limit of SEB was observed in the range of 10-35 fM.     

Ultrasensitive protein detection using an aptamer-functionalized single polyaniline nanowire

A highly sensitive, conductometric and label-free biosensor for the detection of immunoglobulin E (IgE) is developed based on the immobilzation of the IgE aptamer onto a single polyaniline nanowire electrochemically synthesized in a facile and controllable way.     

Orthogonal PbS nanowire arrays and networks and their Raman scattering behavior

Three-dimensional, orthogonal lead sulfide (PbS) nanowire arrays and networks have been prepared by using a simple, atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) method. These uniform nanowires (average diameter 30 nm) grow epitaxially from the surface of the initial PbS crystal seeds and form orthogonal arrays and networks in space. The growth mechanism has been explored, and the process was classified as homogeneous, epitaxial growth in the 200 directions. Furthermore, Raman spectra of PbS nanowires are reported here, and their characteristic Raman peak (190 cm(-1), no shoulder) could be used as a unique probe for the study of PbS nanomaterials.     

Gold nanowire networks: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity

Gold nanowire networks (AuNWNs) with average widths of 17.74 nm (AuNWN(1)) or 23.54 nm (AuNWN(2)) were synthesized by direct reduction of HAuCl(4) with sodium borohydride powder in deep eutectic solvents, such as ethaline or reline, at 40 °C. Their width and length were dependent on the type of solvent and the NaBH(4)/HAuCl(4) molar ratio (32 in ethaline and 5.2 in reline). High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis of the gold nanowire networks showed clear lattice fringes of polycrystalline nanopowder of d = 2.36, 2.04, 1.44, and 1.23 ? corresponding to the (111), (200), (220), or (311) crystallographic planes of face centered cubic gold. The purified AuNWNs were used as catalysts for the chemical reduction of p-nitroaniline to diaminophenylene with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution. The reaction was monitored in real time by UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that the reduction process is six times faster in the presence of gold nanowire networks stabilized by urea from the reline (AuNWN(2)) than in the presence of gold nanowire networks stabilized by ethylene glycol from ethaline (AuNWN(1)). This is due to a higher number of corners and edges on the gold nanowires synthesized in reline than on those synthesized in ethaline as proven by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns recorded for both types of gold nanowire networks. Nevertheless, both types of nanomaterials determined short times of reaction and high conversion of p-nitroaniline to diaminophenylene. These gold nanomaterials represent a new addition to a new generation of catalysts: gold based catalysts.     

Self-assembled nanowire networks of aryloxy zinc phthalocyanines based on Zn-O coordination

Tetrakis(aryloxy)phthalocyanine (4c) and its Zn congeners (4a and 4b) and Ni congener (4d) were synthesized, and their self-assembling properties in coordinating and non-coordinating solvents were investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Compounds 4a and 4b in non-coordinating solvents exhibit red-shifted and split Q-bands in absorption spectra even at very low concentrations, suggesting J-aggregate formation. The MALDI-TOF MS for the samples of 4a and 4b prepared from chloroform solutions gives the monomer and aggregate signals. The TEM images of such samples display an indefinite two-dimensional network structure. The aggregates break up into monomers when a coordinating solvent is added to the solution. The driving force for the aggregate formation is proposed to be the complementary coordination of the ether oxygen in the aryloxy groups of one molecule to the core Zn of another molecule of phthalocyanine.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from surfactant-free 3D gold nanowire networks substrates

A useful method for the fabrication of three-dimensional gold nanowire networks based on the chemical reduction of HAuCl4 with trisodium citrate was presented. The coverage of the 3D gold nanowire networks was tunable by altering precursor concentration. The as-prepared 3D gold nanowire networks could be used as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates and examined by 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as a probe molecules. Since the proposed strategy is simple, cost-effective and reproducible for the mass production of network-like gold films irrespective of the kinds of the underlying substrates, it is expected to play an important role in the development of surface plasmon-based analytical devices.     

Pt nanoparticles modified Au nanowire array for amperometric and potentiometric detection of glucose

A new glucose biosensor, based on the modification of highly ordered Au nanowire arrays (ANs) with Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) and subsequent surface adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOx), is described. Morphologies of ANs and ANs/PtNPs were observed by scanning electron microscope. The electrochemical properties of ANs, ANs/GOx, ANs/PtNPs, and ANs/PtNPs/GOx electrodes were compared by cyclic voltammetry. Results obtained from comparison of the cyclic voltammograms show that PtNPs modification enhances electrochemical catalytic activity of ANs to H₂O₂. Hence, ANs/PtNPs/GOx biosensor exhibits much better sensing to glucose than ANs/GOx. Optimum deposition time of ANs/PtNPs/GOx biosensor for both amperometric and potentiometric detection of glucose was achieved to be 150 s at deposition current of 1?×?10^?6 A. A sensitivity of 0.365 μA/mM with a linear range from 0.1 to 7 mM was achieved for amperometric detection; while for potentiometric detection the sensitivity is 33.4 mV/decade with a linear range from 0.1 to 7 mM.     

CuO/Cu2O nanowire array photoelectrochemical biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of tyrosinase

Photoelectrochemical(PEC) biosensors have shown great promise in bioanalysis and diagnostic applications in recent years. In this work, the CuO/Cu_2O nanowire array(CuO/Cu_2O Nanowire) supported on copper foam was prepared as a photocathode for detection of tyrosinase though quinone-chitosan conjugation chemistry method. The in-situ generated quinones that were the catalytic product of tyrosinase acted as electron acceptors, which were captured by the chitosan deposited on the surface of the electrode. Direct immobilization of electron acceptor on the electrode surface improved the photocurrent conversion efficiency and thus sensitivity. The as-prepared biosensor can realize a rapid response in a wide linear range of 0.05 U/mL to 10 U/mL with the detection limit as low as 0.016 U/mL of tyrosinase. The current work provides a new perspective to design and develop highly sensitive and selective PEC biosensor.     

Collision of a long DNA molecule with an isolated nanowire

We provide an experimental test of the universal behavior arising in simulations of the electrophoretic collision of a long DNA molecule with an isolated, thin post. Our experiments take advantage of a robust protocol to embed matrices of circa 100 nm radius ZnO nanowires in a microfluidic channel. The density and height of the nanowires are easily controlled by the seeding and growth conditions. Single-molecule videomicroscopy of λ-DNA electrophoresis in a sparse nanowire array shows that the average holdup time decays exponentially with the impact parameter, in agreement with simulations. Only at the largest electric field studied here does the hooking probability approach that for an infinitesimally thin post.     

Bimetallic nanowire sensors for extracellular electrochemical hydrogen peroxide detection in HL-1 cell culture

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The present study of nanoelectrochemical sensors prepared by directed electrochemical nanowire assembly (DENA) is defined by the requirements of...     

Carbon nanotube-enhanced electrochemical DNA biosensor for DNA hybridization detection

A novel and sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with a carboxylic acid group (MWNTs-COOH) for covalent DNA immobilization and enhanced hybridization detection is described. The MWNTs-COOH-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and oligonucleotides with the 5'-amino group were covalently bonded to the carboxyl group of carbon nanotubes. The hybridization reaction on the electrode was monitored by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) analysis using an electroactive intercalator daunomycin as an indicator. Compared with previous DNA sensors with oligonucleotides directly incorporated on carbon electrodes, this carbon nanotube-based assay with its large surface area and good charge-transport characteristics dramatically increased DNA attachment quantity and complementary DNA detection sensitivity. This is the first application of carbon nanotubes to the fabrication of an electrochemical DNA biosensor with a favorable performance for the rapid detection of specific hybridization.     

Novel luminescent nanoparticles for DNA detection

Highly luminescent LaF₃:Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ nanocrystals were successfully prepared and surface functionalized via Layer-by-Layer technology. These as-prepared nanocrystals are highly resistant to photobleaching and pretty dispersible in aqueous solution. Due to the efficient luminescence quenching of the nanocrystals by nucleic acids, a facile fluorescence quenching method was developed for the detection of trace amount of nucleic acids. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensity was proportional to the DNA concentration over the range of 0.60–25.0 μg mL^?1 for calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and 0.60–30.0 μg mL^?1 for herring sperm DNA (hs-DNA), respectively. The corresponding detection limit is 0.21 μg mL^?1 for ct-DNA and 0.31 μg mL^?1 for hs-DNA, respectively. The results indicated that the reported method is simple and rapid with wide linear range. Also, the recovery and relative standard deviation of this method are reasonable and satisfactory.