How Biorecognition Affects the Electronic Properties of Reduced Graphene Oxide in Electrolyte‐Gated Transistor Immunosensors

Abstract

Ambipolar electrolyte‐gated transistors (EGTs) based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been demonstrated as ultra‐sensitive and highly specific immunosensors. However, the physics and chemistry ruling the device operation are still not fully unraveled. In this work, the aim is to elucidate the nature of the observed sensitivity of the device. Toward this aim, a physical–chemical model that, coupled with the experimental characterization of the rGO‐EGT, allows one to quantitatively correlate the biorecognition events at the gate electrode and the electronic properties of rGO‐EGT is proposed. The equilibrium of biorecognition occurring at the gate electrode is shown to determine the apparent charge neutrality point (CNP) of the rGO channel. The multiparametric analysis of the experimental transfer characteristics of rGO‐EGT reveals that the recognition events modulate the CNP voltage, the excess carrier density Δn, and the quantum capacitance of rGO. This analysis also explains why hole and electron carrier mobilities, interfacial capacitance, the curvature of the transfer curve, and the transconductances are insensitive to the target concentration. The understanding of the mechanisms underlying the transistor transduction of the biorecognition events is key for the interpretation of the response of the rGO‐EGT immunosensors and to guide the design of novel and more sensitive devices.