Functionalized SnO₂ nanobelt field-effect transistor sensors for label-free detection of cardiac troponin

Real-time label-free electrical detection of proteins, including cardiac troponin (cTn), is demonstrated using functionalized SnO₂ nanobelt field-effect transistors (FETs) with integrated microfluidics. Selective biomolecular functionalization of the active SnO₂ nanobelt channel and effective passivation of the substrate surface were realized and verified through fluorescence microscopy. The validation/verification of the sensing scheme was initially demonstrated via detection of biotin-streptavidin binding: devices with single biotinylated SnO₂ nanobelts showed pronounced conductance changes in response to streptavidin binding. Importantly, the pH-dependence of the conductance changes was fully consistent with the charged states of streptavidin at different pH. Moreover, the specificity of the sensors' electrical responses was confirmed by co-labeling with quantum dots. Finally, the sensing platform was successfully applied for detection of the cardiac troponin I (cTnI) subunit within cTn, a clinically important protein marker for myocardial infarction.