Recent Advances in Immobilization Strategies for Biomolecules in Sensors Using Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Abstract

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are fabricated using organic semiconductors (OSCs) as the active layer in the form of thin films. Due to its advantages of high sensitivity, low cost, compact integration, flexibility, and printability, OFETs have been used extensively in the sensing area. For analysis platforms, the construction of sensing layers is a key element for their efficient detection capability. The strategy used to immobilize biomolecules in these devices is especially important for ensuring that the sensing functions of the OFET are effective. Generally, analysis platforms are developed by modifying the gate/electrolyte or OSC/electrolyte interface using biomolecules, such as enzymes, antibodies, or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to ensure high selectivity. To provide better or more convenient biological immobilization methods for researchers in this field and thereby improve detection sensitivity, this review summarizes recent developments in the immobilization strategies used for biological macromolecules in OFETs, including cross-linking, physical adsorption, embedding, and chemical covalent binding. The influences of biomolecules on device performance are also discussed.

Nanostructured Titanium Dioxide Surfaces for Electrochemical Biosensing

“…The use of biosensors covers several areas of knowledge, such as biomedical research, forensic investigation, drug discovery, point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring and food control [1]. Biosensors allow the selective detection of analytes, taking advantage of the affinity interaction they present with specific bioreceptors immobilized on the surface of the sensor [2], e.g., enzyme-substrate, DNA-target DNA or antibody-antigen interactions [3].…”

“…To prepare biosensors, different types of transducers can be implemented to convert the biorecognition event into a measurable signal as electrochemical, optical or other physical variables [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Electrochemical transducers are widely used in biosensor devices due to the diversity of experimental electrochemical setups, simple data collection and robust interpretation.…”

Functionalized D/A–A–D quinolines for application in solution-processable p-channel organic field-effect transistors

“…1,2 Highly pi-conjugated aromatic organic materials are the backbone of organic electronics with applications in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), 3 organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), 4 organic photovoltaics, 5 organic light-emitting transistors (OLETs), 6 memory devices, nano-RFID tags, 7 modern health care devices, 8 and sensors. 9 They are swiftly replacing silicon electronics because of their many advantages. 10 The development of organic semiconducting materials is a much-sought out field.…”

The Role of Aryldiazonium Chemistry in Designing Electrochemical Aptasensors for the Detection of Food Contaminants

“…The choice of the immobilization technique may affect a wide range of parameters, including the preservation of biological activity, the accessibility and stability of surface-confined receptor molecules, the control of non-specific adsorption, the response time, the sensitivity, and the overall stability of the biosensor [ 32 ]. Hence, the selection of a robust derivatization strategy for the transducer surface is a prerequisite in adjusting the interface properties and promoting a convenient immobilization of the aptamer [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. In this context, aryldiazonium chemistry has emerged as a powerful and versatile modification procedure that allows the tailoring of the chemical and electronic properties of the sensing platform and enables proper distribution, surface density, and stability for the aptamer contained in the recognition layer [ 34 , 36 , 37 ].…”