Noncovalently functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution using the hydrophobin HFBI and their electroanalytical application

Abstract

A novel noncovalent approach was developed for the functionalization of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) using the hydrophobin, HFBI. Owing to the amphipathic nature, HFBI can be adopted onto the surface of MWNTs to form HFBI–MWNTs nanocomposite with good dispersion in water. The HFBI–MWNTs nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and water contact angle measurements (WCA). Furthermore, a glucose biosensor was developed based on HFBI–MWNTs by a one-step casting method. The resulting biosensor displayed high sensitivity, wider linear range, low detection limit, and fast response for glucose detection, which implicated that the HFBI–MWNTs nanocomposite film holds great promise in the design of electrochemical devices, such as sensors and biosensors.