Modified silicon nanowires: a nitric oxide biosensor with enhanced selectivity and stability

A fluorescence sensor for nitric oxide (NO) was realized by covalently immobilizing reduced fluoresceinamine molecules onto the surface of silicon nanowires (SiNWs). The fluorescence intensity of the sensor can be greatly enhanced by NO. The sensor exhibits excellent selectivity for NO against other reactive species. Facile synthesis, nontoxicity, rapid response and use in a 100% aqueous solution endows the present sensor with suitability for biosystems. As an application, the sensor was used to detect NO released from liver extract, and exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity as well as rapid response. The fluorescence image from a single SiNW-based sensor showed a fine spatial resolution. The present sensor paves a way to detect NO at specific location in a single cell by inserting a single SiNW-based sensor into the cell.

师文生 课题组

师文生课题组