Detection of Cd(II) using antibody-modified microcantilever sensors.

This work demonstrated the feasibility of detecting divalent Cd(II) ions using antibody-modified microcantilever (MCL) sensors. Different surface modification methods were compared and multilayer approach was found superior than others for MCL surface modifications for antibody-based Cd(II) sensor development. When the Cd(II)-EDTA complex sample is injected into the fluid cell where the MCL is held, the MCL bends upon the recognition of the Cd(II) complex by the antibody on the surface of the MCL. Control experiments showed that complex that does not contain Cd(II) did not cause any bending of the MCL. The detection limit of the sensor was approximately 10(-9) M. The reaction rate analysis indicated that Langmuir adsorption model is appropriate to describe the absorption of Cd(II)-EDTA-BSA on the antibody-covered MCL surface.