Boron nitride nanotube-based biosensing of various bacterium/viruses: continuum modelling-based simulation approach

IET Nanobiotechnol. 2014 Sep;8(3):143-8. doi: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2013.0020.

Abstract

In this study, the feasibility of single walled boron nitride nanotube (SWBNNT)-based biosensors has been ensured considering the continuum modelling-based simulation approach, for mass-based detection of various bacterium/viruses. Various types of bacterium or viruses have been taken into consideration at the free-end of the cantilevered configuration of the SWBNNT, as a biosensor. Resonant frequency shift-based analysis has been performed with the adsorption of various bacterium/viruses considered as additional mass to the SWBNNT-based sensor system. The continuum mechanics-based analytical approach, considering effective wall thickness has been considered to validate the finite element method (FEM)-based simulation results, based on continuum volume-based modelling of the SWBNNT. As a systematic analysis approach, the FEM-based simulation results are found in excellent agreement with the analytical results, to analyse the SWBNNTs for their wide range of applications such as nanoresonators, biosensors, gas-sensors, transducers and so on. The obtained results suggest that by using the SWBNNT of smaller size the sensitivity of the sensor system can be enhanced and detection of the bacterium/virus having mass of 4.28 × 10⁻²⁴ kg can be effectively performed.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Boron Compounds / chemistry*
  • Colony Count, Microbial / instrumentation*
  • Colony Count, Microbial / methods*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Computer-Aided Design*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / instrumentation
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Viral Load / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Boron Compounds
  • boron nitride