Detection of nucleobases using 2D germanane nanosheet: A first-principles study

The electronic properties and geometric stability of germanane nanosheet is explored using first-principle studies. The germanane nanosheet exhibits semiconducting properties and stability of germanane sheet is ensured with formation energy. The adsorption behavior of deoxyribo nucleic acid (DNA)/ribo nucleic acid (RNA) nucleobases on monolayer germanane nanosheet have been investigated using density functional theory with van der Waals dispersion correction. The adsorption of nucleobases is found to be physisorbed on germanane nanosheet with the van der Waals type of interaction. The order of adsorption of nucleobases with germanane nanosheet is known to be C > G > A > T > U. We observed the changes in the energy band structure and the density of states variation due to the adsorption of nucleobases on germanane nanosheet. Our results confirm that apart from graphene, germanane monolayer can be used to detect nucleotides in the field of biotechnology and medical science.