Collaborative Research: Stepwise Functionalization and Surface Modification for ZnO Nanostructure-based Biosensors

本研究的目标是对纳米结构ZnO和MgZnO与生物分子的表面和界面化学进行深入的科学理解，从而在分子水平上设计和开发创新的表面功能化，从而实现具有超高灵敏度和选择性、多模态操作的新一代生物传感器。该多学科研究将包括MOCVD生长具有可控尺寸和形貌的ZnO和MgZnO纳米结构，分子连接层化学结合的设计和实验，ZnO/有机分子界面的综合表征，以及用于传感应用的功能化技术的实现。主要方法包括：(1)合成高度有序的尺寸、形貌和表面润湿性可控的ZnO和MgZnO纳米结构；（ii）研究这些纳米结构与利用探针发色团设计的分子连接层之间的光物理和化学性质，实现对界面化学的前所未有的理解；（iii）实现界面化学，设计和开发表面功能化技术，用于基于ZnO纳米结构的生物传感器。一般公开声明：该项目将研究如何将传感器开发中重要的分子，例如抗体或酶，固定在纳米材料上。确保生物分子在固定后的良好功能是生物传感器成功开发的关键，本研究将开发新的固定策略。

1264508(Lu) The goal of the proposed research is to perform in-depth scientific understanding of surface and interface chemistry of nanostructured ZnO and MgZnO and biomolecules in order to design and develop the innovative surface functionalization at the molecular level to enable a new generation of biosensors with ultra-high sensitivity and selectivity, and multi-modal operation. This multidisciplinary research will include MOCVD growth of ZnO and MgZnO nanostructures with controlled dimension and morphology, design and experiments of chemical binding of molecular linker layers, comprehensive characterization of the ZnO/organic molecule interfaces, and implementation of the functionalization technology for sensing applications. The main approach includes (i) synthesis of highly ordered ZnO and MgZnO nanostructures with controlled dimension, morphologies, and surface wettability; (ii) Study of the photophysical and chemical properties between these nanostructures and the molecular linker layers designed by using the probe chromophores to achieve unprecedented understanding of the interfacial chemistry, and (iii) Implementation of the interfacial chemistry to design and develop the surface functionalization technology for application in the ZnO nanostructure-based biosensors.General public statement:This project will study how molecules important in sensor development, for example antibodies or enzymes, may be immobilized on nanomaterials. Ensuring that biomolecules function well after immobilization is critical to the successful development of biosensors and this proposal will develop new immobilization strategies.