Biosensor Consists of Na -- Doped Hydroxyapatite Thin Film

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) surface has an excellent ability of adsorption for functional biomolecules such as protein, DNA and so on. We have investigated the application of the HAp as a suitable material for biosensor. Thin film of the sodium -- doped HAp (Na -- HAp) is prepared in order to decrease the electric resistivity. We have studied variation of the resistance for the Na -- HAp thin films with the adsorption of the functional biomolecules. The sample were prepared by a pulsed laser deposition technique on porous alumina substrate. After the deposition, sample was post -- annealed in O$_{2}$ / H$_{2}$O atmosphere in order to crystallize the Na -- HAp. The powder X ray diffraction pattern shows the sample has a pure HAp structure. The gold comb electrodes were evaporated on the sample for the resistance measurement. The sample was set in pure water of 100 ml in a beaker. When Fetal Bovine Serum of 100 $\mu $l was dropped in the beaker, the Na -- HAp shows the drastic change of the AC resistance (at 120 kHz). This result shows that the Na -- HAp will be one of the most effective materials for the biosensor applications.