Characterization of peptide-nanostructure-modified electrodes and their application for ultrasensitive environmental monitoring.

Dense arrays of self-assembled nanostructures are highly important for the fabrication of high-performance sensors of large surface area. The organized incorporation of novel biocompatible organic nanostructures into extremely sensitive amperometric biosensors is demonstrated. Peptide nanoforest biosensors for phenol detection were 17-fold more sensitive than uncoated electrode and more sensitive than those modified with carbon nanotubes or combined coating. The high sensitivity reported, together with the biocompatibility and the ability to chemically and biologically modify these elements, may provide a novel platform for biosensors design and fabrication for environmental monitoring, homeland security, and other applications.