Carbon nanomaterials

Since carbon atomic lattice has high physical and chemical stability, carbon nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes and graphene present a promising platform for sensing of various liquid and gaseous analytes. However, high sensitivity to the changes in the environment, makes carbon nanomaterials also poorly selective to specific targets.

In that sense, we investigate the ways of local tuning of the properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes using chemical and physical modification of their atomic lattices, to increase their sensing potential in terms of responsivity and selectivity. We are developing mask-less processes for local modification of materials properties, using various types of organic semiconductors monolayers. In addition, novel optical methods based on high energy ultraviolet or ultrafast laser are developed to alter graphene physical and chemical properties or reduction process of graphene oxide.

Furthermore, we investigate carbon nanostructures functionalization with different materials, such as metal and metal oxides nanoparticles, (bio)polymers or semiconductor organic molecules, with the final goal to achieve the properties of carbon nanomaterials that meet requirements for high-performance sensors.

We are particularly focused on electrochemical and chemoresistive biological sensors based on carbon nanotubes or graphene modified with specific biomolecules, for detection of small molecules, toxins, antibiotics, and pathogens in food and livestock.