Lead ion selective membrane (Pb-ISM) coated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) was used to demonstrate a whole new methodology for ion-selective FET sensors, which can create ultra-high sensitivity (−36 mV/log [Pb2+]) surpassing the limit of ideal sensitivity (−29.58 mV/log [Pb2+]) in a typical Nernst equation for lead ion. The largely improved sensitivity has tremendously reduced the detection limit (10−10 M) for several orders of magnitude of lead ion concentration compared to typical ion-selective electrode (ISE) (10−7 M). The high sensitivity was obtained by creating a strong filed between the gate electrode and the HEMT channel. Systematical investigation was done by measuring different design of the sensor and gate bias, indicating ultra-high sensitivity and ultra-low detection limit obtained only in sufficiently strong field. Theoretical study in the sensitivity consistently agrees with the experimental finding and predicts the maximum and minimum sensitivity. The detection limit of our sensor is comparable to that of Inductively-Coupled-Plasma Mass Spectrum (ICP-MS), which also has detection limit near 10−10 M.
Exposure to heavy metal ions poses grave danger to public health and reliable and affordable water quality monitoring system that can rapidly screen for heavy metal ion contamination is necessary. In this research, we have developed a unique sensing methodology to detect heavy metal ions such as Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ in water sources, using ion-selective high electron mobility transistor sensor (ISHEMT). A detailed investigation of the sensing and selectivity characteristics of ISHEMT is carried out and a theoretical model is proposed for the illustration of the enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. The high field modulated ISHEMT sensor displays very high sensitivity, much beyond the ideal Nernstian slope, offering very low detection limit (10 −10 M for Pb 2+ and 10 −11 M for Hg 2+ ). The sensing characteristics are not affected by the presence of interfering ions and the selective sensor response has been validated using fixed interference and separate solution methods. These sensor characteristics are superior than the traditional ISE or ISFET sensors, and at par with laboratory standard technologies like ICP-MS. The miniaturized, inexpensive and user-friendly sensor technology can provide consumers with an affordable and convenient means of securing safe and contamination free water and food consumption.
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