Reusable nano-BG-FET for point-of-care estimation of ammonia and urea in human urine

Abstract

A back-gate-field-effect-transistor (BG-FET) has been developed to selectively detect ammonia and urea. The BG-FET was prepared on a p-type Si substrate with an n-type channel of CdS-TiO2 nanocomposite and poly-methyl methacrylate film as dielectric layer. The reusability of the sensor was ensured by putting it as a cover to a chamber where samples were detected. The BG-FET showed an increase in drain current with the increase in ammonia release from chamber because higher numbers of charge carriers were created when ammonia adsorped on CdS-TiO2 nanostructures. Control experiments suggested that the variation in current-to-voltage response of BG-FET could also be calibrated to measure the activity of a host of other hazardous gases. The lowest concentration of ammonia detected was ∼0.85 ppm with a response time of 30 s at a gate voltage of 0.5 V or less, which were superior than available field effect transistors ammonia sensors. Addition of urease in urine liberated ammonia equivalent to urea content in urine, which could be detected by the proposed BGFET. The urea-urease enzyme catalysis reaction made the sensor specific in detecting the biomarker. The accuracy, sensitivity, and reusability of the device was found to be suitable to develop a point-of-care testing device for ammonia and urea detection.