MoS₂-nanoflower enhanced programmable adsorption/desorption plasmonic detection for bipolar-molecules with high...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors require high sensitivity and capturing ratios for small molecule detection.
• Existing SPR sensors face limitations in efficiently adsorbing and desorbing target molecules, particularly small bipolar ones like amino acids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel SPR sensor utilizing molybdenum disulfide nanoflowers (MoS2 MNFs) for enhanced detection of small bipolar molecules.
• To demonstrate the programmable adsorption/desorption capabilities of MoS2 MNFs for amino acid detection.
• To explore the potential of MoS2 MNFs as a versatile platform for both small molecule and protein detection.

Main Methods:

• Integration of MoS2 nanoflowers (MNFs) onto a plasmonic gold layer of an SPR sensor.
• Utilizing the electric field enhancement effect of MNFs to boost sensor sensitivity.
• Leveraging the rich edge sites and negatively charged surfaces of MNFs for molecular adsorption and desorption.
• Controlling amino acid detection by adjusting solution pH based on isoelectric points.
• Modifying MNFs with antibodies for specific protein detection.

Main Results:

• The MoS2 MNF-SPR sensor demonstrated a 25% increase in sensitivity compared to unmodified SPR sensors.
• MNFs facilitated significantly higher adsorption and efficient desorption of bipolar molecules (amino acids).
• Controllable detection of amino acids was achieved by pH adjustment.
• The MNF-based platform was successfully adapted for specific protein detection via antibody functionalization.

Conclusions:

• MoS2 nanoflowers significantly enhance SPR sensor sensitivity and adsorption/desorption capabilities for small bipolar molecules.
• The developed MNF-SPR sensor offers a controllable and sensitive method for amino acid detection, applicable to pre-screening amino acid disorders.
• The MNF platform provides a universal and highly sensitive approach for immunoassays, enabling specific protein detection.