Development of multichannel quartz crystal microbalances for MIP‐based biosensing

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer a huge potential in the development of cheap small-scale disposable biomimetic sensors. They are suited for a wide variety of biological targets and are compatible with many different measurement techniques such as gravimetric sensing and impedance spectroscopy. One potential sensor platform for MIP-based biosensors is the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). A 4-channel MIP/nonimprinted polymer (NIP) coated QCM biosensor array was developed on a single piece of quartz crystal. To study cross-channel frequency coupling of the resonance modes, a simulation of crystal designs using finite element analysis (FEA) modeling was created. Based on these simulations and using reactive ion etching (RIE) to create mesa-like structures on the crystal surface, crosstalk can be severely reduced. The improved functionality compared to the traditional QCMs was demonstrated by employing these mesa-type multichannel QCM (MQCM) crystals as an L-nicotine biosensor platform.

Molecularly-imprinted polymer sensors: realising their potential

“…They developed a 4-channel MIP/NIP coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor array as a biosensing platform for L-nicotine. They emphasised that, in addition to the relatively easy and inexpensive fabrication of the 4-channel biosensing platform, it could be enlarged to 8-, 16-, 32-and 64-etc channels with introduction of mesa-like structures (Croux et al, 2012). El-Sharif et al (2015) combined protein-based MIPs with spectroscopy and QCM for characterisation of their molecular recognition efficiencies while varying hydrophobicity of the polymers.…”

“…Herein, we focus on some of the recent and most interesting developments and combinations. Croux et al (2012) used reactive ion etching (RIE) technique to create mesa-like structures in order to diminish crosstalk as well as applying finite element analysis to simulate cross-channel frequency coupling capabilities. They developed a 4-channel MIP/NIP coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor array as a biosensing platform for L-nicotine.…”

Towards a SAW based phononic crystal sensor platform

“…It is far less developed for piezoelectric materials and typically based on reactive ion etching (RIE) [e.g. [6][7][8][9]. LiNbO 3 is the more appropriate material from the electroacoustic point of view; however, it is more challenging than quartz.…”

Technology towards a SAW based phononic crystal sensor

“…Local resonances are the physical background of this phenomenon. It is well known that resonant sensors can achieve ultrahigh sensitivities when the effective mass of the unperturbed resonator decreases while keeping a high Q-factor [3][4][5][6].…”