Composite nanomaterial thin film-based biosensors

This paper reports a new class of biosensors based on composite nanomaterial thin film. The composite nanomaterial film is synthesized using a simple vacuum filtration method. Using composite nanomaterial film, we can not only simplify the positioning and integration fabrication process of nanoscale materials into a functional device, but also enhance the sensing surface area significantly, which might open an opportunity to fabricate devices for ultrasensitive biosensing in a cost-effective way. Systematic measurements find that the composite film, containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and SnO₂ nanoparticles, shows the similar field effect as that of single CNTs or nanowires (NWs) and its resistance changes upon binding to biomolecules during a bioassay process.