Optimized carbon nanotube fiber microelectrodes as potential analytical tools

The preparation and interesting electrochemical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber microelectrodes are reported. By combining the advantages of CNT with those of fiber electrodes, this type of microelectrode differs from CNT-modified or CNT-containing composite electrodes, because they are made solely of CNT without other components, for example additives or binders. The performance of these electrodes has been characterized with regard to, among others, the electrocatalytic oxidation of analytes via dehydrogenase-mediated reactions. In this context the reversible regeneration of the coenzyme NAD + using a mediator is a key step in the development of new amperometric sensor devices and we have successfully immobilized mediator molecules that are very efficient for this purpose on the surface of the CNT fiber electrode. The microelectrodes thus obtained have been compared with classic carbon microelectrodes and have promising behavior in biosensing applications, especially after specific pretreatments such as CNT alignment inside the fiber or expansion of the specific surface by chemically induced swelling. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.