Fabrication of an interpenetrated network of carbon nanotubes and electroactive polymers to be used in oligonucletide biosensing

Electrochemical DNA hybridization sensors based on conducting polymers

Conducting polymers (CPs) are a group of polymeric materials that have attracted considerable attention because of their unique electronic, chemical, and biochemical properties. This is reflected in their use in a wide range of potential applications, including light-emitting diodes, anti-static coating, electrochromic materials, solar cells, chemical sensors, biosensors, and drug-release systems. Electrochemical DNA sensors based on CPs can be used in numerous areas related to human health. This review summarizes the recent progress made in the development and use of CP-based electrochemical DNA hybridization sensors. We discuss the distinct properties of CPs with respect to their use in the immobilization of probe DNA on electrode surfaces, and we describe the immobilization techniques used for developing DNA hybridization sensors together with the various transduction methods employed. In the concluding part of this review, we present some of the challenges faced in the use of CP-based DNA hybridization sensors, as well as a future perspective.

Electro-active shape memory properties of poly(ε-caprolactone)/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite

One type of electroactive shape memory nanocomposite was fabricated, including cross-linked poly(ε-caprolactone) (cPCL) and conductive multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The cross-linking reaction of the pristine poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was realized by using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. The raw MWNTs (Raw-M) were prefunctionalized by acid-oxidation process and covalent grafting with poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), respectively. Three kinds of nanocomposites containing cPCL/Raw-M, cPCL/acid-oxidation MWNTs (AO-M) and cPCL/PEG grafted MWNTs (PEG-M) were obtained, and the mechanical, electrical and shape memory properties were further investigated. The influence of in vitro degradation on their shape memory and mechanical properties was also evaluated. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to estimate their biocompatibility. The results displayed that these nanocomposites could perform favorable shape memory recovery both in hot water at 55 °C and in electric field with 50 V applied voltage. In addition, compared with cPCL/Raw-M and cPCL/AO-M, cPCL/PEG-M composite possessed more favorable properties such as mechanical, biocompatible, and electroactive shape memory functions. Therefore, the nanocomposite may be potential for application as smart bioactuators in biomedical field.