DNA biosensors based on layer-by-layer self-assembled multilayer films of carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles

A novel DNA biosensor based on layer-by-layer self-assembled multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and gold nano-particles (GNPs) was presented in this paper, in which the probe HS-ssDNA oligonucleotides, MWNTs and GNPs were all covalently immobilized by chemical Au-Sulphide bonding. Firstly, the super short MWNTs were prepared and modified with thio groups which could be self-assembled onto the surface of Au electrode by Au-sulphide bonding, then the GNPs were chemically adhered to the surfaces of MWNTs by forming Au-sulphide bonding again, at last the self-assamble of probe DNA oligonucleotides were also covalently immobilized via Au-sulphide bonding between thio groups at the ends of the DNA oligonucleotides and GNPs. Hybridization between the probe HS-ssDNA oligonucleotides and target DNA oligonucleotides was confirmed by the changes in the voltammetric peak of an anionic intercalator, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid (AQDS) as a hybridization indicator. The cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetry responses demonstrated that the DNA biosensors based on Layer-by-layer self-assembled multilayer films of MWNTs and NGPs offer a higher hybridization efficiency and selectivity compared to those based on only random MWNTs or GNPs.