Portable and Label-Free Sensor Array for Discriminating Multiple Analytes via a Handheld Gas Pressure Meter

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Cross-reactive sensor arrays are crucial for analyzing complex samples containing multiple analytes.
• Existing sensor technologies often require labels or are not portable, limiting their practical applications.
• Catalase-like nanomaterials offer unique interaction diversities for analyte detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable, label-free gas pressure sensor array for multiplex analysis.
• To utilize the diverse interactions of analytes with catalase-like nanomaterials for detection.
• To demonstrate the sensor array's capability in discriminating various biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a gas pressure sensor array using platinum nanoparticles (PtNP), cobalt oxide nanosheets (Co3O4NS), and platinum-cobalt alloy nanosheets (PtCoNS).
• Exploiting the differential impact of analytes on the catalase-like activity of nanomaterials to generate gas pressure signals.
• Employing principal component analysis (PCA) for data processing and analyte discrimination.

Main Results:

• Successful discrimination of eight proteins at a 10 nM level within 12 minutes.
• Ability to differentiate varying protein concentrations and mixtures.
• Effective discrimination of proteins in human serum and five distinct cell types.

Conclusions:

• The developed gas pressure sensor array is portable, cost-effective, sensitive, and label-free.
• This technology offers a novel approach for multiplex analyte discrimination, distinct from existing sensor arrays.
• The sensor array shows significant potential for widespread application in portable and affordable multi-analyte detection.