Article abstract


Nature Materials 3, 736 - 742 (2004)
Published online: 7 September 2004 | doi:10.1038/nmat1204

Subject Categories: Biomedical materials | Sensors and biosensors | Materials for energy

Protein-modified nanocrystalline diamond thin films for biosensor applications

Andreas Härtl1, Evelyn Schmich1, Jose A. Garrido1, Jorge Hernando1, Silvia C. R. Catharino2, Stefan Walter2, Peter Feulner3, Alexander Kromka4, Doris Steinmüller4 & Martin Stutzmann1


Diamond exhibits several special properties, for example good biocompatibility and a large electrochemical potential window, that make it particularly suitable for biofunctionalization and biosensing. Here we show that proteins can be attached covalently to nanocrystalline diamond thin films. Moreover, we show that, although the biomolecules are immobilized at the surface, they are still fully functional and active. Hydrogen-terminated nanocrystalline diamond films were modified by using a photochemical process to generate a surface layer of amino groups, to which proteins were covalently attached. We used green fluorescent protein to reveal the successful coupling directly. After functionalization of nanocrystalline diamond electrodes with the enzyme catalase, a direct electron transfer between the enzyme's redox centre and the diamond electrode was detected. Moreover, the modified electrode was found to be sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. Because of its dual role as a substrate for biofunctionalization and as an electrode, nanocrystalline diamond is a very promising candidate for future biosensor applications.

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  1. Walter Schottky Institut, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
  2. Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
  3. Physics Department E20, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Strasse, 85748, Garching, Germany
  4. r-Best coating, Hartstoffbeschichtungs GmbH, Erlach 165, 6150 Steinach, Austria

Correspondence to: Jose A. Garrido1 e-mail: garrido@wsi.tum.de


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