Enhancement of selective determination of the perfect match and mismatch of single nucleobases with a biosensing electrode based on surface-coarsened anatase TiO2 nanobelts

Abstract

An alkaline hydrothermal and acid etching process was used to prepare surface-coarsened anatase TiO₂ nanobelts (CTNs) with enhanced (001) facets. The CTNs were used for electrochemical selective determination of the perfect match and mismatch of single nucleobases at the physiological pH of 7.4. It is supposed that the structure and surface morphology of CTNs play important roles in the nature of the adsorption/bonding and packing density of single base pairs on the nanobelt surfaces. Within the present experimental context, the CTNs are considered to be promising candidates for biosensing of nucleic acids that will be of fundamental significance to diagnostic medicine and molecular biology research.