Functionalized ZnO Nanowires for Biosensing Applications

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate the immobilization of carboxylic acid moieties on the surface of ZnO and silicon nanowires and its potential for biosensing applications. We functionalize ZnO and Si nanowires that were synthesized with the CVD technique. We use spectroscopic techniques to determine the nature of bonding and orientation of oleic acid molecules at the nanowire surface, which is used as a model system. Furthermore, based on photoluminescence data on modified and unmodified ZnO nanowires with oleic acid, we propose a generic approach to sense biomolecules along with a mechanism of sensing.