DNA-coated MWNT microfibers for electrochemical actuator

Abstract

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) hybrid fibers were fabricated by wet-spinning method. The fibers were made up with entangled nanowire networks of DNA-coated MWNTs, and it shows a strain of similar to 0.15% as electrochemical actuators under low potential cycling between 0 and -0.9 V versus Ag/AgCl in 2 M NaCl solution. The fibers also show good electric conductivity (similar to 60S/cm) and capacitance (50 +/- 5 F/g) behaviors. Based on the appropriation of its electro-chemo-mechanical systems, the DNA/MWNT fiber can be one of the new intelligent materials for biomedical application. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.