Optical immunosensor using carbon nanotubes coated with a photovoltaic polymer

In this work, an on-chip optical immunosensor using an individually assembled carbon nanotube (CNT) coated with a photovoltaic polymer has been proposed, developed, characterized, and applied for the detection of cardiac biomarkers. An individual CNT was self-assembled on a nickel (Ni)-patterned electrode by magnetically attracting the residual iron catalyst at one end of the CNT. After the CNT self-assembled electrode was prepared, it was coated with a photovoltaic polymer to implement a CNT photodetector. Under an incident light, the photovoltaic polymer generated electrons that changed the conductivity of the CNT. The CNT photodetector was finally insulated with parylene to prevent interruptions of charged molecules in a sample solution, such as non-specifically bound proteins and various ions. Chemiluminescent immunoassay was directly performed on the CNT photodetector for an on-chip detection of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) with a detection limit of 12 pg/mL. High sensitivity and reliable selectivity have been achieved through the use of on-chip measurement of chemiluminescent light by the CNT photodetector. As a result, the developed device is envisaged as a new platform for optical immunosensing using the individually self-assembled CNT for point-of-care (POC) clinical diagnostics.

► An optical immunosensor was implemented with a carbon nanotube (CNT) photodetector.
► The CNT was coated by phototovoltaic polymer which generated charges under the light.
► Chemiluminescent immunoassay was performed on parylene-insulated CNT photodetector.
► Highly selective and sensitive detection (12 pg/ml) of cardiac troponin-T was achieved.