Abstract
Electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistors have emerged in the field of biosensors over the last five years, due to their attractive simplicity and high sensitivity to interfacial changes, both on the gate/electrolyte and semiconductor/electrolyte interfaces, where a target-specific bioreceptor can be immobilized. This article reviews the recent literature concerning biosensing with such transistors, gives clues to understanding the basic principles under which electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistors work, and details the transduction mechanisms that were investigated to convert a receptor/target association into a change in drain current.
Highlights
A biosensor, defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), is “a device which uses specific biochemical reactions mediated by isolated enzymes, immunosystems, tissues, organelles or whole cells to detect chemical or biological compounds, usually by use of electrical, thermal or optical signals” [1,2]
EGOFETs rely on the accumulation of charges at the gate/dielectric and applied for biosensors
EGOFETs rely on the accumulation of charges at the gate/dielectric and dielectric/semiconductor interfaces
Summary
A biosensor, defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), is “a device which uses specific biochemical reactions mediated by isolated enzymes, immunosystems, tissues, organelles or whole cells to detect chemical or biological compounds, usually by use of electrical, thermal or optical signals” [1,2]. With the coming of the Web of Things, i.e., connected objects implementing sensors, along with a growing need for healthcare devices, biosensors may at last fulfill their promises. They must be better interfaced with electronics; transistors as biosensing components may be the way to achieve this objective. The main drawback with conventional silicon-based transistors is the high cost of silicon microlithography operated in clean room, which is prohibitive for disposable sensors. Their sensitivities are high, characterized by subthreshold swings of ca. Organic semiconductors can be processed at low cost, for example by use of printing techniques, and can be chemically modified to adjust their properties, which is decisive for biosensors where the recognition elements have to be attached [8]
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