Electronic characterization of swcnt/block copolymer-based nanofiber for biosensor applications, 2016
Sharma, Amrit Prasad
2010-2019
The aim of this research is to fabricate an electrically conducting, smooth, continuous and sensitive nanofiber using tri-block copolymer PS-b-PDMS-b-PS and SWCNTs by electrospinning. The electronic nanofibers may be utilized for effective biosensing 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 nanocomposite material. Electrically conducting fibers are prepared by electrospinning a solution of PS, PS-b- PDMS-b-PS and functionalized SWCNTs using solvent DMF. The fibers formed have an average diameter and height of 5 and 4 ?m respectively. These fibers are characterized by SEM, AFM, and optical microscopy. The electrical characterization of a single fiber shows an almost linear graph of current vs. voltage using the Kelvin Sensing method. This linear graph exemplifies the conducting nature of the fiber. 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.
text
application/pdf
2016-07-01
thesis
Master of Science (MS)
Clark Atlanta University
Physics
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2016_sharma_amrit_p
