Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Nanoscience
Amrit Sharma - Clark Atlanta University
Co-Author(s): Genefine L. Sapateh and Michael D. Williams, Clark Atlanta University, GA
The aim of this research is to fabricate an electrically conducting, smooth, continuous and sensitive nanofiber using polystyrene (PS), triblock copolymer (PS-b-PDMS-b-PS) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by electrospinning. The electronic nanofibers may be utilized for effective bio-sensing applications. The SWCNTs have been of great interest to researchers because of their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The nanoscale diameter, high aspect ratio, and low density make them an ideal reinforcing candidate for novel nano composite material.
Electrically conducting nanofibers have been prepared by electrospinning a solution of PS, PS-b-PDMS-b-PS and functionalized SWCNTs in the ratio 5:1:0.05 using solvent DMF. The nanofibers formed had an average diameter of 5 μm. These nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy and electrical characterization.
The electrical characterization of a single fiber shows an almost linear graph of current vs voltage using four-point probe (also known as Kelvin sensing) method. This linear graph exemplifies the conducting nature of the nanofiber. The study suggests that the SWCNT/block copolymer nanofibers have superior performance in the development of ultra-high sensitive sensor for the detection of single molecule relative to conventional materials due to significantly larger surface-to-volume ratio. Future work includes preparing nanofibers decorated with functional groups and binding with specific type of enzyme or protein to study their I-V behavior. This approach or method can be utilized for bio-sensing activities, especially for the detection of various antibodies and protein molecules.
Not SubmittedFunder Acknowledgement(s): This research was funded and supported by the National Science Foundation/CREST/CFNM Award # HRD-1137751 -DMR-0934142.
Faculty Advisor: Michael D. Williams, mdwms@cau.edu