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Recyclable Semiconductor Aerogel Electrochemical Transistors for Ultrasensitive Biosensors
Zhiying Deng1, Xu Liu1, Liqiong Zhang1
1Interdisciplinary Materials Research Center, Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China.
Nano Letters
|October 1, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed recyclable organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) using nanoporous aerogels. These flexible OECTs offer enhanced performance and ultra-low detection limits for biosensing, enabling sustainable wearable electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Bioelectronics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are promising for sustainable bioelectronics.
- Current OECTs face challenges in recyclability and ion transport due to dense active layers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop recyclable and flexible OECTs with enhanced ion permeation and transport.
- To create ultrasensitive OECT-based biosensors for detecting biomarkers in real body fluids.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of OECTs using nanoporous aramid nanofibers/semiconducting polymer aerogels.
- Characterization of OECT performance, including transconductance and ion transport.
- Development of a microfluidic dual-channel biosensor using the aerogel OECTs.
Main Results:
- Achieved significantly enhanced ion permeation and transport in the OECTs.
- Recorded a high transconductance of 136.5 mS, a record for similar channel sizes.
- Demonstrated record-low detection limits of 10 pM (lactate) and 1 pM (lysozyme) in a biosensor.
- Confirmed the recyclability of the semiconducting aerogels for potential transistor reuse.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel approach for recyclable semiconductor aerogels.
- Presented ultrasensitive OECT biosensors suitable for wearable and sustainable applications.
- Enabled detection of trace biomarkers in saliva and tear, advancing point-of-care diagnostics.
