Comparing the enhanced sensing interfaces of differently oriented carbon nanotubes onto silicon for bio-chip applications

Carbon nanotubes improve the sensitivity of electrochemical biochips. An optimized integration of the nano/bio/CMOS interface is required to realize accurate and low-cost sensors for applications in personalized medicine. The nanotubes orientation on the chip is a key parameter. The role of the sidewalls and the tips surface on the electro-activity of the nano-sensor is still subject of debate in the literature. In this paper, a comparison between vertical densely-packed and randomly-oriented carbon nanotubes directly growth on silicon wafer is proposed in order to identify the best nano-system for biosensing purposes. The comparison is done by using contact-angle measurements, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and electrochemical voltammetry.