Highly sensitive protein sensor based on thermally-reduced graphene oxide field-effect transistor

Abstract

We report the fabrication of a highly sensitive field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor using thermally-reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) sheets functionalized with gold nanoparticle (NP)-antibody conjugates. Probe antibody was labeled on the surface of TRGO sheets through Au NPs and electrical detection of protein binding (Immunoglobulin G/IgG and anti-Immunoglobulin G/anti-IgG) was accomplished by FET and direct current (dc) measurements. The protein binding events induced significant changes in the resistance of the TRGO sheet, which is referred to as the sensor response. The dependence of the sensor response on the TRGO base resistance in the sensor and the antibody areal density on the TRGO sheet was systematically studied, from which a correlation of the sensor response with sensor parameters was found: the sensor response was more significant with larger TRGO base resistance and higher antibody areal density. The detection limit of the novel biosensor was around the 0.2 ng/mL level, which is among the best of reported carbon nanomaterial-based protein sensors and can be further optimized by tuning the sensor structure.

A Short Review of the Architecture and Computational Analysis in the Design of Graphene Based Bioelectronic Devices

“…(40)(41)(42) The AuNPs are spread over a thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) membrane as the channel material of the FET; these nanoparticles have shown specific recognition ability for IgG. (41)(42)(43) Such graphene-FET biosensors have been shown to exhibit exceptional sensitivity with detection limits down to 0.01 nM.…”

Graphene for Biomedical Applications: A Review

“…Graphene demonstrates better sensitivity as its limit of detection is lower compared to carbon nanotubes for detection of analytes comprise of DNA, protein, small molecules and pathogens. (Viswanathan et al 2015) (Viswanathan et al 2015) (Mannoor et al 2014) (Ping et al 2015) (Feng et al 2011) (Ping et al 2015) (Ping et al 2016) (Guo et al 2011) (Xu et al 2014) (Ohno et al 2010) (Mao et al 2013) (Ohno et al 2010) (Mao et al 2013 (Lu et al 2009) (Nguyen et al 2011) (Kim et al 2009) (Star et al 2006) ) (Mao et al 2011) Recently, much efforts have been made to fabricate graphene based FET for DNA detection. In 2011, researchers from the University of California have fabricated graphene based FET for DNA detection.…”

Graphene-Based Glucose Sensors: A Brief Review

“…3, there are two general types of FET-based GBBs: namely, back gate FETs [31], [96] and liquid gate FETs [11], [97]. The "back gate" refers to changes in the conductivity of the graphene substrate due to the presence of biomolecules.…”