Nano-hybrid polymer-carbon nanotubes for biochips

Abstract

We developed a method for the modification of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to achieve high solubility, desired functionality and fluorescence using self-assembly and polymerization method that involves non-covalent interactions between SWCNTs and 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) supramolecules. This structure is readily polymerizable through the 1,4-addition initiated by UV irradiation to give polydiacetylene (PDA) and SWCNT nano-hybrids (PDA-SWCNTs). To demonstrate further attachment for biochip applications, we carried out biotinylation of PDA-SWCNT and its patterning through the biotin-avidin interaction.