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Thiophene structure influences plasmonic creatinine sensing through molecular interaction and surface morphology
Nurul Izzah Zakaria1, Nur Afifah Ahmad Nazri2, Nur Hidayah Azeman3
1Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia.
Scientific Reports
|December 2, 2025
Summary
Molecular structure significantly impacts plasmonic sensing. Benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde (BTCA) offers superior creatinine detection over tetrahydrothiophene (THT) due to stronger molecular interactions and a more consistent surface response.
Area of Science:
- Chemical sensing
- Materials science
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Plasmonic sensors offer label-free detection capabilities.
- Thiophene-based molecules are explored as sensing interfaces.
- Understanding molecular structure-property relationships is crucial for sensor optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the sensing performance of benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde (BTCA) and tetrahydrothiophene (THT) for creatinine detection.
- To investigate how molecular structure influences interfacial interactions and plasmonic sensing behavior.
- To provide guidance for selecting thiophene derivatives as sensing layers.
Main Methods:
- Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) spectroscopy for real-time binding analysis.
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical characterization.
- Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for surface morphology and composition analysis.
Main Results:
- BTCA demonstrated stronger interactions (hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole) with creatinine compared to THT.
- BTCA exhibited a more uniform surface morphology and a linear SPR response (R² = 0.97).
- THT showed weaker interactions, disordered surface features, and a segmented sensing profile.
Conclusions:
- The molecular structure of thiophene derivatives critically affects interfacial behavior and plasmonic sensing performance.
- BTCA's conjugated aromatic aldehyde structure is advantageous for sensitive and stable creatinine detection.
- This study provides valuable insights for designing efficient plasmonic sensors by tailoring molecular structures.
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