Protein/carbon nanotubes interaction: The effect of carboxylic groups on conformational and conductance changes

Detailed understanding of interaction between biomolecules and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is important in the design and applications of biosensors that employ SWCNTs for transduction of the analytes response. Reciprocal interactions of SWCNT with bovine serum albumin are investigated here with pristine and carboxylated nanotubes. Carboxylic functionalization was found to inflict a deeper change on protein conformation, than their pristine counterparts, accompanied with a change in nanotube conductance. This observation has significant implications for biosensors in highlighting the need to take into account the surface functionalization state of the active materials.