Boron-Nitride Nanotubes as Zeptogram-Scale Bionanosensors: Theoretical Investigations

Boron-nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are being increasingly used due to their superior biocompatibility. We develop sensor equations for using the BNNTs as possible mass sensors for nanoscale biological objects. Two approaches based on static and dynamic deflection shapes have been investigated. Two types of sensor configurations, namely, cantilevered and bridged, have been studied. New sensor equations have been validated using molecular mechanics simulations. Our results show that BNNTs can be used as biosensor with sensitivity reaching in the order of 0.1zg/GHz.