Robust Biosensor Based on Carbon Nanotubes/Protein Hybrid Electrolyte Gated Transistors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show potential for biosensing via electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs).
• Current fabrication methods for SWCNT-based EGTs are often complex and time-consuming, limiting their practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified, solution-based fabrication method for SWCNT-based EGT biosensors.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of this new method for detecting specific biomarkers, such as cortisol.

Main Methods:

• Stable aqueous dispersions of SWCNTs and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were prepared.
• These dispersions were deposited onto substrates to form random networks of SWCNTs acting as semiconducting channels.
• The fabricated EGT devices were functionalized with anti-cortisol antibodies for targeted detection.

Main Results:

• The developed method successfully produced EGT devices with suitable electrical performance for biosensing.
• The SWCNT/BSA-based EGTs demonstrated effective detection of cortisol in solution.
• The fabrication process proved to be robust and cost-effective.

Conclusions:

• This work presents a streamlined, cost-effective methodology for fabricating SWCNT/BSA-based EGT biosensors.
• The approach overcomes limitations associated with traditional SWCNT biosensor fabrication.
• This platform holds promise for advancing practical biosensing applications.