Enzyme immobilization on microelectrode arrays of CNT/Nafion nanocomposites fabricated using hydrogel microstencils

Abstract Enzyme-modified, three-dimensional (3D) microelectrode arrays for microfluidic biofuel cell applications were fabricated using carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced Nafion® nanocomposites and hydrogel microstenciling. CNT/Nafion nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing oxidized, multi-walled CNTs in Nafion solution. A hydrogel microstencil was fabricated using photolithography, soft lithography, and capillary-force lithography. After structuring the nanocomposites with the microstencil, a plasma-etching process was applied to the surface of the nanocomposite in order to obtain a micro-porous structure. Enzymes could be successfully immobilized on the micro-porous structures of nanocomposite surfaces using direct covalent binding.