Graphene nanoribbons and iron oxide nanoparticles composite as a potential candidate in DNA sensing applications

Abstract

We report the synthesis and characterization of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) decorated with iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles to obtain the GNR_Fe3O4 nanocomposite and its use as a DNA sensor. Characterization results confirm the successful synthesis of a nanocomposite based on reduced GNRs and mostly Fe3O4 nanoparticles distributed randomly and homogeneously on the ribbon's surface and whose specific surface area (766 m2 g−1) is higher compared to pure GNRs (588 m2 g−1). These characteristics make this nanocomposite suitable for effective DNA immobilization and hybridization in sensor applications. Taking advantage of the latter, the electrochemical analysis demonstrated that GNR_Fe3O4-based electrodes amplify the electrochemical signal by more than one order of magnitude compared to bare carbon electrodes, and 70% more compared to pristine GNRs-based electrodes. The capability of the GNR_Fe3O4 nanocomposite as a DNA sensor was evaluated in terms of the electrochemical response by monitoring the cathodic peak in DNA immobilization and hybridization through a redox process. The electrochemical current was measured in immobilized single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA to be 92 and 49 μA, respectively, for GNR_Fe3O4-based electrodes; these values are indicative of an effective discrimination between the immobilization and hybridization of DNA. The present work demonstrates the viability of a DNA sensor based on the facile synthesis of GNRs decorated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

Graphene Nanoribbons: Prospects of Application in Biomedicine and Toxicity

“…GNRs-based electrodes decorated with iron oxide nanoparticles (GNR–Fe 3 O 4 ) amplify electrochemical signals by more than one order of magnitude compared to bare carbon electrodes and 70% more compared to p-GNRs-based electrodes [ 59 ]. The electrochemical currents in immobilized single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA are 92 and 49 μA, respectively.…”

Ionic and molecular transport in aqueous solution through 2D and layered nanoporous membranes

“…This highlights a difficulty in altering a monolayer with a surface coating with a sufficiently thin layer as to not compromise the unique qualities of the 2D monolayer. Similarly, Rodríguez et al have decorated graphene nanoribbons with iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 ), demonstrating single and double stranded DNA sensing with noise an order of magnitude lower than un-decorated graphene [124]. Finally, with an alternative take on the matter, Ganguli et al functionalise DNA strands instead of the surface [125].…”

Multimodal/Multifunctional Nanomaterials in (Bio)electrochemistry: Now and in the Coming Decade

“…A variety of electrochemical (bio)sensors have been reported in the literature where the presence of magnetic particles not only facilitates the preparation of the sensor but also provides other functionalities related to higher sensitivity, through enhanced electrical conductivity, and/or better selectivity derived from electrocatalytic effects toward redox processes involved in the detection scheme. Table 2 summarizes the main characteristics of recently reported electrochemical biosensing strategies involving magnetic carbon nanomaterials [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 ].…”