The biocorrosion activity of ZnO-based materials as biosensors

Abstract

Due to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, high isoelectric point, electrochemical activity, high electron mobility and ease of synthesis by diverse methods, ZnO-based materials have attracted much interest as materials for biosensors. Its unique properties allow it to be used for single-molecule detection and determining various biomolecules, so it can be potentially utilized as biosensor for medical diagnosis. The materials being used as biosensors require special characteristics including high corrosion resistance. The aim of this research was to investigate biocorrosion properties of ZnO materials in Ringer’s physiological solution as a function of immersion time. ZnO powders were prepared by microwave (MW) processing of a precipitate in the presence of a different amount (5, 10 and 20 wt.%) of two different surfactants, CA and CTAB. The particles crystallinity and phase purity were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze surface chemistry. The particles morphology and textural properties were observed with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and BET. The biocorrosion activity of the materials was measured by potentiodynamic polarization technique. Prepared samples were immersed in Ringer solution for different immersion times ranging from 30 min to 7 days. We found that all examined ZnO samples hаve low biocorrosion activity. Slight differences in biocorrosion activity between the samples are determined by particles morphology, textural properties and surface chemistry influenced by used surfactants.