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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Preparation of Silicon Nanowire Field-effect Transistor for Chemical and Biosensing Applications
Published on: April 21, 2016
A comparative study of in-flow and micro-patterning biofunctionalization protocols for nanophotonic silicon-based
Ana Belén González-Guerrero1, Mar Alvarez, Andrés García Castaño
1Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group, Research Center on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CIN2), CSIC and CIBER-BBN, Barcelona, Spain.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|November 22, 2012
Summary
This study optimized covalent biofunctionalization for nanophotonic biosensors using a water-soluble silane. Microcontact printing of bioreceptors slightly enhanced biosensing performance for analyzing human samples.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics
- Biosensor Technology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Reliable bioreceptor immobilization is critical for high-performance biosensors.
- Existing methods often require sample processing and generate waste.
- Novel nanophotonic interferometric biosensors require optimized surface functionalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an optimized covalent biofunctionalization scheme for a nanophotonic biosensor.
- To compare different bioreceptor immobilization strategies.
- To enhance biosensor performance for label-free analysis of human samples.
Main Methods:
- Ex-situ silanization of silicon nitride surface using carboxyethylsilanetriol sodium salt (CTES).
- Bioreceptor immobilization via in-flow patterning and microcontact printing.
- Real-time, label-free immunosensing using BSA/mAb BSA as a model.
Main Results:
- Optimized CTES silanization created compact monolayers and avoided organic waste.
- Both in-flow patterning and microcontact printing yielded stable biological interfaces.
- Microcontact printing demonstrated slightly improved biosensing capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Covalent biofunctionalization using CTES is effective for nanophotonic biosensors.
- Microcontact printing offers a slight advantage for bioreceptor layer assembly.
- The developed method enables sensitive, selective analysis of human samples without prior processing.
