Biotin-functionalized semiconducting polymer in an organic field effect transistor and application as a biosensor

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Semiconducting polymers are crucial for organic electronics.
• Biotinylation enables specific biomolecule interactions.
• Organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) offer potential for sensitive biosensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize biotin-functionalized fluorene and bithiophene co-polymers (F8T2).
• To evaluate the performance of these polymers in organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) as biosensors.
• To demonstrate the selective detection of biologically active molecules.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of biotinylated F8T2 co-polymers.
• Fabrication and characterization of OTFT devices.
• Testing biosensor selectivity using avidin and bovine serum albumin (BSA).
• Monitoring changes in transistor conductivity and UV-fluorescence.

Main Results:

• The biotinylated F8T2 polymers exhibited typical p-type semiconductor behavior in OTFTs.
• The developed biosensor showed a selective decrease in conductivity upon exposure to avidin.
• Changes in UV-fluorescence color were observed after reaction with avidin and BSA, indicating molecular interaction.

Conclusions:

• Biotin-functionalized F8T2 polymers are suitable for use in OTFT-based biosensors.
• The developed biosensor demonstrates selective detection capabilities for avidin.
• The material shows promise for sensitive and selective sensing of biological molecules.