Exploring sequence dependence in DNA-decorated CNT Gas sensors on CMOS circuitry

Abstract

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) are reported to be very sensitive to numerous odors and could serve as the next generation of miniature gas sensors. Recently, we have shown that SWNTs functionalized with DNA hold even greater promise than bare SWNTs as high sensitivity gas sensors. The DNA-decorated SWNT gas sensors were integrated on CMOS circuitry with built-in amplifiers. In the paper, we report on the performance of the nanosensors as a function of the DNA sequence used for adsorption on SWNTs. A diverse sequence-dependent response was observed, with enhancements up to 300% for methanol vapor and 250% for isopropanol alcohol vapor for specific DNA sequence compared to bare SWNTs. This work demonstrates a significant step towards ultra-sensitive electronic nose type of applications based on functionalizing CNTs with different DNA sequences.