Cross-Linking Bi(2)S(3) Ultrathin Nanowires: A Platform for Nanostructure Formation and Biomolecule Detection

This paper describes the use of chemical cross-linking of ultrathin inorganic nanowires; as a bottom-up strategy for nanostructure fabrication as well as a chemical detection platform. Nanowire microfibers are produced by spinning a nanowire dispersion into a cross-linker solution at room temperature. Nanomembranes with thicknesses down to 50 nm were obtained by injecting the nanowire dispersion at the crosslinker-solution/air interface. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the nanowire to amine cross-linkers allowed development of a novel sensing platform for small molecules, like the neurotransmitter serotonin, with detection limits in the picomolar regime.