Self-Powered Biosensors Using Various Light Sources in Daily Life Environments: Integration of p–n Heterojunction Photodetectors and Colorimetric Reactions for Biomolecule Detection

Abstract

Electronic biosensors operating without power supply are high in demand owing to increasing interest in point-of-care (POC) coupled with portable and wearable electronic devices for smart healthcare services. Although self-powered electronic sensors have emerged with the promise of resolving the energy supply problems, achieving sufficient sensitivity to targets in real samples is highly challenging because of the matrix effect caused by electroactive species. In this study, we developed a self-powered biosensor platform by combining n-indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO)/p-Si heterojunction photodetectors and physically separated colorimetric reactions. The self-powered biosensors were applied to glucose detection in real human samples using light sources from daily life environments such as fluorescent light and sunlight. The sensors showed high sensitivity and stability from 0.01 to 10 mg mL–1 of glucose in human saliva and urine without matrix effect from the electroactive species in real samples. In addition, a small change in glucose concentration in human serum was distinguishable with a resolution of 0.01 mg mL–1. Notably, these results were obtained using well-developed and widely used materials like Si and IGZO with simple deposition techniques. Moreover, this self-powered biosensing platform can be universally applied for the detection of all biomolecules being detected by colorimetric assays. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on such self-powered biosensors, which could be a promising candidate for future POC biosensors integrated with portable and wearable electronic devices.

Materials and Designs for Wearable Photodetectors

“…Photosensitive materials also go beyond light detection for other wearable applications, such as UV‐assisted gas sensors and biomolecule detection . For wearable sensors, synthesis process and responsive properties must accommodate demands of superior sensitivity, flexibility, and stability for integration.…”

Preparation and characterization of 0D Au NPs@3D BiOI nanoflower/2D NiO nanosheet array heterostructures and their application as a self-powered photoelectrochemical biosensing platform

“…To obtain the desired PEC performance, the type, band gap size as well as the band matching of semiconductors require a judicious design and optimization. [12][13][14][15] Various heterostructures have been designed to expand the light utilization range or improve the electron (e À )/hole (h + ) separation efficiency, 16 such as: Au NPs@ZnO, 17 CdS/RGO/ZnO, 3 CdSe/ZnS/ TiO 2 , 18 NiO/PbS 12 and C 3 N 4 /PbS. 19 Self-powered PEC biosensors can be divided into three major categories: p type/p-p heterostructure, 12 n type/n-n heterostructure 3,4,17 and photofuel cell type.…”

Advances in Biosensors for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Towards Wearables

“…However, researchers are still striving to realize the actual wearable devices suitable for continuous urine glucose monitoring. The major challenges are associated with the matrix effect in urine on glucose ( Kim et al, 2018 ), and also a reliable assay which is stable in urine ( El-Farhan et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Two desired methods to address this problem are the excellent antifouling coating materials by the fabrication of a layer of biopolymers (such as poly ethylene glycol) or zwitterion molecules ( Liu and Gooding, 2006 ), and the sensitive automatic calibration mechanisms. The sensor surface materials should be considered to minimize biofouling effects and exclude coexisting electroactive interference while retaining enzymes at the sensor surface and avoiding leakage of potentially toxic sensor components ( Kim et al, 2018 ). Compared with the minimally invasive CGMs (interstitial fluid), non-invasive CGMs (urine, saliva, tear, sweat) would suffer from less biofouling because of the less biological solution contact.…”

“…The sensor surface materials should be considered to minimize biofouling effects and exclude coexisting electroactive interference while retaining enzymes at the sensor surface and avoiding leakage of potentially toxic sensor components (Kim et al, 2018). Compared with the minimally invasive CGMs (interstitial fluid), non-invasive CGMs (urine, saliva, tear, sweat) would suffer from less biofouling because of the less biological solution contact.…”