Graphene-based field-effect transistor biosensors

• US 9,676,621 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2012
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UWM Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: UWM Research Foundation
• Inventors: Mao, Shun, Lu, Ganhua, Chen, Junhong
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, MELANIE YU
• Application Number:
  US13/399,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20120214172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,943 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4145 specially adapted for biomolecules, e.g. gate electrode with immobilised receptors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4146 involving nanosized elements, e.g. nanotubes, nanowires

Abstract

The disclosure provides a field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensor and uses thereof. In particular, to FET-based biosensors using thermally reduced graphene-based sheets as a conducting channel decorated with nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates. The present disclosure also relates to FET-based biosensors using metal nitride/graphene hybrid sheets. The disclosure provides a method for detecting a target biomolecule in a sample using the FET-based biosensor described herein.

Claims

1. A field-effect transistor (FET)-based sensor, the sensor comprising:

a nanostructure, nanoparticles in contact with the nanostructure, and one or more biomolecules in contact with the nanoparticles, wherein the nanostructure comprises a reduced graphene oxide sheet; and

wherein the nanoparticles comprise gold.

2. The FET-based sensor of claim 1, wherein the nanostructure comprises a thermally-reduced graphene oxide sheet.

3. The FET-based sensor of claim 1, wherein the nanostructure comprises a metal nitride/graphene nanohybrid sheet.

4. The FET-based sensor of claim 3, wherein the metal nitride comprises titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum oxynitride (TaON) or gallium nitride (GaN).

5. The FET-based sensor of claim 4, wherein the metal nitride/graphene nanohybrid sheet comprises nitrogen-doped graphene (NG).

6. The FET-based sensor of claim 4, wherein the metal nitride/graphene nanohybrid sheet comprises TiN/NG.

7. The FET-based sensor of claim 1, wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of an DNA, protein, bacteria, virus, or fungi.

8. The FET-based sensor of claim 7, wherein the protein is one of an enzyme, a substrate, an antigen, an antibody, a ligand, an aptamer and a receptor.

9. The FET-based sensor of claim 8, wherein the protein comprises an antibody.

10. The FET-based sensor of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle is in contact with the nanostructure by non-covalent bonding.

11. The FET-based sensor of claim 10, wherein the nanoparticle is in contact with the nanostructure by van der Waal forces.

12. A method of detecting a target biomolecule in a sample, the method comprising:

(a) contacting the FET-based sensor of claim 1 with a sample containing or suspected of containing the target biomolecule; and

(b) monitoring a change in an electrical characteristic.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the change in an electrical characteristic as a function of time indicates the presence of the target biomolecule.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrical characteristic is selected from the group consisting of conductance, capacitance, potential, resistance, and inductance.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the sample is a gas sample or a liquid sample.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the method detects a target biomolecule selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, a substrate, an antigen, an antibody, a ligand, an aptamer, a receptor, a nucleic acid, and a microorganism.

17. A method of making the FET-based sensor of claim 1, the method comprising:

depositing the one or more nanoparticles conjugated with the one or more proteins onto the nanostructure.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more nanoparticles are deposited onto the nanostructure using electrospray and electrostatic force directed assembly (ESFDA) or drop-casting.

19. A field-effect transistor (FET)-based sensor, the sensor comprising:

a nanostructure, nanoparticles electronically coupled to the nanostructure, and one or more probe molecules in contact with the nanoparticles, wherein the nanostructure comprises a reduced graphene oxide sheet, and wherein the nanoparticles comprise gold.