Role of Carbon Nanotubes in Analytical Science

Abstract

Analytical science has gone through several turning points, one of the most decisive of which was signaled by the development and massive use of instruments for analytical purposes. One other pivotal turning point was the inception of computer science, which not only enabled the automatic control of analytical systems but also facilitated the acquisition of vast amounts of data and their processing with the aid of chemometrics. Following the growing significance of automation and miniaturization in recent times, the early 21st century is witnessing the rise of nanotechnology as a new, increasingly important, revolutionary trend in science in general and analytical science in particular. The ability to exploit molecular interactions between analytes and nanoparticles has opened up new, challenging prospects in this area. Good proof of the interest aroused by nanoparticles is the large number of papers on their use in quantum dots, fullerene, aurum nanoparticles, or carbon nanotubes published in recent years.

Simultaneous Detection of Multi-DNAs and Antigens Based on Self-Assembly of Quantum Dots and Carbon Nanotubes

“…Their lengths can range from several hundred nanometers to several micrometers, and the diameters from 0.2 to 2 nm for SWNTs and from 2 to 100 nm for coaxial MWNTs (Valcarcel et al, 2005). So far, CNTs has been used as an analytical tool to improving the analytical process (Valcarcel et al, 2007). CNTs-based biosensors have been developed to detect biological species including proteins and DNA.…”

“…2 illustrates their potential roles in the development of new tools for analytical science, arranged in terms of complexity of design and integration (Valcarcel et al, 2007). Fig.…”

“…2. Classification of analytical tools based on the use of carbon nanotubes according to the analytical complexity and the increasing level of system design and integration (Valcarcel et al, 2007). (With permission from American Chemical Society) Generally, CNTs are expected to be controllably assembled into designed architectures as integral components of composites or supramolecular structures (Grzelczak et al, 2006).…”

“…Additionally, CNTs were also used as analytical targets. After specific conjugation of targeting ligands to SWNT tags or coupled with sufficient sidewall passivation in order to prevent non-specific binding, the photoluminescent (FL) and Raman scattering properties of SWNTs can be detected as target signals in biosensors Valcarcel et al, 2007). Therefore, CNTs are of great interest for the development of highly sensitive and multiplexed biosensors for applications in analytical chemistry.…”

Dispersions Based on Carbon Nanotubes – Biomolecules Conjugates

“…CNT have been recently used as transducers for enhanced electrical detection of DNA hybridization [34]. As the leading nanodevice candidate, SWNTs have shown great potential applications ranging from molecular electronics to ultrasensitive biosensors [35]. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) has recently been demonstrated to interact noncovalently with SWNTs, and forms stable complexes with individual SWNTs by wrapping around them by means of π-π stacking between nucleotide bases and SWNT sidewalls [36].…”