Conductive polymer-modified boron-doped diamond for DNA hybridization analysis

In this paper, we study the immobilization of DNA on boron-doped diamond (BDD) thin films for DNA hybridization analysis. Taking advantage of the conducting nature of the BDD film, a thin layer of polyaniline/poly (acrylic acid) (PANI/PAA) composite polymer film could be readily electropolymerized onto the diamond surface. The carboxylic acid residues in the polymer film act as the binding sites for DNA attachment, whilst the conductive polymer matrix enhances the electron-transfer between DNA and the diamond surface. Fluorescence microscopy and cyclic voltammetry measurements indicate that the polymer-modified BDD has minimal non-specific DNA adsorption, and provides a stable transduction platform for DNA sensing.