Attachment of biomolecules (protein and DNA) to amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes

An efficient method for the attachment of biomolecules [e.g. bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)] to amino-group-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) was reported. MWCNTs were prepared by spray pyrolysis of a benzene-ferrocene solution in argon atmosphere at ∼850 °C followed by functionalization with an amino group by chemical modification of carboxylic groups introduced on the nanotube surface. This process involves a direct coupling of ethylenediamine with carboxylic groups to introduce amino groups by amide formation. The as-synthesized MWCNTs, f-MWCNTs, and amino f-MWCNTs with BSA protein and DNA were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which confirm the attachment of biomolecules (BSA protein and DNA) to the amino f-MWCNTs.