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A dynamically tunable terahertz human serum albumin biosensor based on Dirac semimetal nanozyme
Ling Chen1, Qiaohong Yao2, Jie Chen2
1The Central Hospital of Xiangtan, The Amiliated Hospital of Hunan University, Xiangtan, China.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|January 26, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a tunable terahertz biosensor using bulk Dirac semimetal and photonic crystals for sensitive human serum albumin detection. The device offers electrical tunability and potential for advanced nanoenzyme theranostics.
Area of Science:
- * Terahertz (THz) biosensing
- * Nanotechnology
- * Materials science
Background:
- * Label-free detection of biomarkers like human serum albumin (HSA) is crucial for early disease diagnosis.
- * Existing biosensors often lack sensitivity, tunability, or integration capabilities for theranostic applications.
- * Hybrid photonic crystal and bulk Dirac semimetal (BDS) architectures offer novel possibilities for enhanced sensing.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To develop a tunable terahertz biosensor for highly sensitive, label-free detection of HSA.
- * To investigate the integration of BDS with photonic crystals for enhanced plasmonic responses and electrical tunability.
- * To explore the potential of this platform for nanoenzyme-based theranostics.
Main Methods:
- * Fabrication of a hybrid photonic crystal heterostructure incorporating BDS.
- * Utilizing Fano resonance arising from defect mode coupling and BDS plasmonic response for sensing.
- * Employing electric field simulations to analyze field confinement and enhancement; investigating structural parameter effects on sensitivity.
Main Results:
- * Achieved a sharp Fano resonance with high sensitivity to refractive index changes (247.5°/RIU for Δn = 0.002).
- * Demonstrated electrical tunability of sensor sensitivity by adjusting the BDS Fermi level (0.1-0.4 eV).
- * Observed significant local field enhancement, improving imaging sensitivity for nanoenzyme contrast agents and enabling potential real-time monitoring of nanoenzyme catalytic efficiency.
Conclusions:
- * The proposed tunable THz biosensor offers a promising platform for sensitive biomarker detection and nanoenzyme theranostics.
- * Electrical tunability provides dynamic control over sensor performance, balancing sensitivity and figure of merit.
- * This integrated framework supports clinical translation of nanoenzyme technology and the development of multifunctional theranostic systems.
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