Volume 17, Issue 1 pp. 15-27
Review
Full Access

Inlaid Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanoelectrode Arrays for Electroanalysis

Jun Li

Jun Li

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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Jessica E. Koehne

Jessica E. Koehne

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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Alan M. Cassell

Alan M. Cassell

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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Hua Chen

Hua Chen

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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Hou Tee Ng

Hou Tee Ng

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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Qi Ye

Qi Ye

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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Wendy Fan

Wendy Fan

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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Jie Han

Jie Han

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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M. Meyyappan

M. Meyyappan

Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035

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First published: 18 January 2005
Citations: 134

Abstract

The rapid development in nanomaterials and nanotechnologies has provided many new opportunities for electroanalysis. We review our recent results on the fabrication and electroanalytical applications of nanoelectrode arrays based on vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A bottom-up approach is demonstrated, which is compatible with Si microfabrication processes. MWCNTs are encapsulated in SiO2 matrix leaving only the very end exposed to form inlaid nanoelectrode arrays. The electrical and electrochemical properties have been characterized, showing well-defined quasireversible nanoelectrode behavior. Ultrasensitive detection of small redox molecules in bulk solutions as well as immobilized at the MWCNT ends is demonstrated. A label-free affinity-based DNA sensor has shown extremely high sensitivity approaching that of fluorescence techniques. This platform can be integrated with microelectronics and microfluidics for fully automated microchips.