Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have a strong and stable near-infrared (nIR) fluorescence that can be used to selectively detect target analytes, even at the single molecule level, through changes in either their fluorescence intensity or emission peak wavelength. SWNTs have been employed as NIR optical sensors for detecting a variety of analytes. However, high costs, long fabrication times, and poor distributions limit the current methods for immobilizing SWNT sensors on solid substrates. Recently, our group reported a protocol for SWNT immobilization with high fluorescence yield, longevity, fluorescence distribution, and sensor response, unfortunately this process takes 5 days to complete. Herein we report an improved method to immobilize SWNT sensors that only takes 2 days and results in higher fluorescence intensity while maintaining a high level of SWNT distribution. We performed surface morphology and chemical composition tests on the original and new synthesis methods and compared the sensor response rates. The development of this new method of attaching SWNT sensors to a platform allows for creation of a sensing system in just 2 days without sacrificing the advantageous characteristics of the original, 5-day platforms.

Development and evaluation of an expedited system for creation of single walled carbon nanotube platforms
    Abstract
        Graphical Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Materials and methods
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Dispersion of SWNT with DNA oligos
        2.3 Preparation of sensor arrays
            2.3.1 Surface oxidation step
            2.3.2 3-GPTMS functionalization on the surface step
            2.3.3 Curing step
            2.3.4 Avidin immobilization on the surface step
            2.3.5 Biotinylated-SWNT sensor immobilization step
        2.4 Preparation of nitric oxide solution and determination of its concentration
        2.5 Optical characterization
        2.6 Morphology and chemical characterization
    3 Results and discussion
    4 Conclusions
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Ivon Acosta Ramirez(Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503‑0908, USA)
• Omer Sadak(Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503‑0908, USA, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ardahan University, Ardahan 75000, Turkey)
• Wali Sohail(Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503‑0908, USA)
• Xi Huang(Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588‑0511, USA)
• Yongfeng Lu(Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588‑0511, USA)
• Nicole M. Iverson(Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503‑0908, USA) Corresponding author