A Sensitivity-Enhanced Electrolyte-Gated Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor by Acoustic Tweezers.

Yan Chen,Daihua Zhang,Hao Zhang,Wenpeng Liu,Xiaoliang Guo

doi:10.3390/mi12101238

Abstract

Low-abundance biomolecule detection is very crucial in many biological and medical applications. In this paper, we present a novel electrolyte-gated graphene field-effect transistor (EGFET) biosensor consisting of acoustic tweezers to increase the sensitivity. The acoustic tweezers are based on a high-frequency bulk acoustic resonator with thousands of MHz, which has excellent ability to concentrate nanoparticles. The operating principle of the acoustic tweezers to concentrate biomolecules is analyzed and verified by experiments. After the actuation of acoustic tweezers for 10 min, the IgG molecules are accumulated onto the graphene. The sensitivities of the EGFET biosensor with accumulation and without accumulation are compared. As a result, the sensitivity of the graphene-based biosensor is remarkably increased using SMR as the biomolecule concentrator. Since the device has advantages such as miniaturized size, low reagent consumption, high sensitivity, and rapid detection, we expect it to be readily applied to many biological and medical applications.

Highlights

IntroductionAs the conventional optical detection methods require professional skills and complex labeling processes, one of the trends of developing biosensors is exploring miniaturized analytical systems with reduced reagent consumption, high sensitivity, and rapid detection [5]
We proposed a novel integrated biosensor consisting of an electrolytegated graphene field-effect transistor (EGFET) and solid mounted resonator (SMR) as acoustic tweezers
InInthis using acoustic tweezers to increase the sensitivity of the biosensor

Summary

Introduction

As the conventional optical detection methods require professional skills and complex labeling processes, one of the trends of developing biosensors is exploring miniaturized analytical systems with reduced reagent consumption, high sensitivity, and rapid detection [5]. Various novel methods including surface plasmon resonance (SPR) [6], quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) [7], and electrochemical sensors [8], have been proposed. One of the novel methods is electrical biosensors that employ novel nanomaterials such as silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes, which has attracted significant attention due to the advantages of its miniaturized size, low reagent consumption, high sensitivity, and rapid detection. Among various types of nanomaterials, graphene, which is a single layer two-dimensional crystal, has emerged as one of the most promising nanoplatforms [5]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion