A biocompatible and functional interface can improve the sensitivity of bioelectronics. Here, 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were independently modified on the surface of silicon nanowire metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (NW-MOSFETs). Those SAMs-modified silicon NW-MOSFETs were used to discriminate various pH solutions and further verify which modified regime was capable of providing better electrical signals. The APTMS-SAM modified NW-MOSFETs showed better electrical responses in pH sensing. Biomolecules on APTMS-SAM modified NW-MOSFETs also gave better signals for the corresponding proteind in physiological buffer solutions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) clarified those electrical phenomena and found biomolecules on APTMS-SAM were relatively uniformly modified on NW-MOSFETs. Our results showed that more uniform modification contributed to better signal response to protein interactions in physiological buffer solutions. It suggests that suitable surface modifications could profoundly affect the sensing response and sensitivity.

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Biointerface between biological organisms and electronic devices has attracted a lot of attention since a biocompatible and functional interface can revolutionize medical applications of bioelectronics. Here, we used 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) to modify the surface of nanowire-based metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (NW-MOSFETs) for pH sensing and later creation of biointerface. Electrical measurement was utilized to first verify the sensing response of unmodified NW-MOSFETs and then examine pH sensing on APTMS modified NW-MOSFETs. A biointerface was then created by immobilizing polylysine, either poly-D-lysine (PDL) or poly-L-lysine (PLL), on APTMS modified NW-MOSFETs. This biointerface was characterized by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), cell biocompatibility, and fluorescent images. The results of ESCA verified the amide bonding (CONH) between polylysine and APTMS modified surface. After PC12 cultured on polylysine-APTMS modified area, highly selective areas for cell growth were observed by fluorescent microscope. Analysis and improvement of selectively cell-growth biointerface on the NW-MOSFETs gave us an insight into future development of neuronal biosensors.