Single-walled carbon nanotube ensembles modified gold ultramicroelectrodes prepared by self-assembly deposition method with 1-(1-pyrenyl)-1-methanethiol monolayer as an adhesion layer

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) modified ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) have potential in many fields, such as electrochemical microsensors, microbiofuel cells, and in vivo biology. This study describes a new and facile self-assembly method for fabricating SWNT ensembles modified UMEs. In this method, bare gold UMEs were modified with 1-(1-Pyrenyl)-1-methanethiol (PyMT) monolayer as an adhesion layer, followed by self-assembly deposition of SWNTs to obtain the SWNTs/PyMT/gold UMEs. The electrochemical properties, such as electrode reactivity and interfacial capacitance, of the fabricated SWNTs/PyMT/gold UMEs were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, the fabricated SWNTs/PyMT/gold UME was used as a microscaffold exhibiting the SWNT properties for immobilization of organic redox dye methylene blue (MB).

► Thioaromatic compound as adhesion molecule for self-assembly deposition of SWNTs.
► The use of pristine SWNTs without strong acid treatment.
► Ultramicroelectrodes showing the surface properties of SWNTs.
► Reversible adsorption/desorption of organic dye methylene blue.