Laser‐Fabricated 2D Molybdenum Disulfide Electronic Sensor Arrays for Rapid, Low‐Cost, Ultrasensitive Detection of Influenza A and SARS‐Cov‐2

Abstract

Multiplex electronic antigen sensors for detection of SARS‐Cov‐2 spike glycoproteins and hemagglutinin from influenza A are fabricated using scalable processes for straightforward transition to economical mass‐production. The sensors utilize the sensitivity and surface chemistry of a 2D MoS2 transducer for attachment of antibody fragments in a conformation favorable for antigen binding with no need for additional linker molecules. To make the devices, ultra‐thin layers (3 nm) of amorphous MoS2 are sputtered over pre‐patterned metal electrical contacts on a glass chip at room temperature. The amorphous MoS2 is then laser annealed to create an array of semiconducting 2H‐MoS2 transducer regions between metal contacts. The semiconducting crystalline MoS2 region is functionalized with monoclonal antibody fragments complementary to either SARS‐CoV‐2 S1 spike protein or influenza A hemagglutinin. Quartz crystal microbalance experiments indicate strong binding and maintenance of antigen avidity for antibody fragments bound to MoS2. Electrical resistance measurements of sensors exposed to antigen concentrations ranging from 2–20 000 pg mL−1 reveal selective responses. Sensor architecture is adjusted to produce an array of sensors on a single chip suited for detection of analyte concentrations spanning six orders of magnitude from pg mL−1 to µg mL−1.

High Throughput Data-Driven Design of Laser-Crystallized 2D MoS2 Chemical Sensors: A Demonstration for NO2 Detection

“…Moreover, the response matches high performing atomically thin NO 2 sensors made of Re 0.5 Nb 0.5 S 2 , a novel TMD, which shows a monolayer response of 30% and 6 layer response of 13% to the same concentration of NO 2 . Recent advances in pathogen sensing reveal that the laser crystallized few-layer MoS 2 can also detect antigens from Influenza A and SARS-COV-2 at concentrations below pg/mL in relevant saliva solutions . The fact that these sensors can be fabricated simply, cheaply, and completely customized, while maintaining the overall substrate at room temperature makes the proposed methodology very attractive for commercial scale-up and practical applications.…”

“…68 Recent advances in pathogen sensing reveal that the laser crystallized few-layer MoS 2 can also detect antigens from Influenza A and SARS-COV-2 at concentrations below pg/mL in relevant saliva solutions. 69 The fact that these sensors can be fabricated simply, cheaply, and completely customized, while maintaining the overall substrate at room temperature makes the proposed methodology very attractive for commercial scale-up and practical applications.…”

A Researcher’s Perspective on Unconventional Lab-to-Fab for 2D Semiconductor Devices

“…However, post-growth, one of the most reliable methods to provide localized and transient heat, laser irradiation, can induce phase changes. Rasterized exposure of TMD surfaces to laser light has been shown to crystallize amorphous TMDs 67 and change 1T′ phase regions to 2H and vice versa. 68 However, this method has the caveat of inducing localized amorphousness, creating defects, and damaging the material in question.…”