An all-solid-state heterojunction oxide transistor for the rapid detection of biomolecules and SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 protein

Lin, Yen-Hung; Han, Yang; Sharma, Abhinav; AlGhamdi, Wejdan S.; Liu, Chien-Hao; Chang, Tzu-Hsuan; Xiao, Xi-Wen; Seitkhan, Akmaral; Mottram, Alexander D.; Pattanasattayavong, Pichaya; Faber, Hendrik; Heeney, Martin; Anthopoulos, Thomas D.

Solid-state transistor sensors that can detect biomolecules in real time are highly attractive for emerging bioanalytical applications. However, combining cost-effective manufacturing with high sensitivity, specificity and fast sensing response, remains challenging. Here we develop low-temperature solution-processed In2O3/ZnO heterojunction transistors featuring a geometrically engineered tri-channel architecture for rapid real-time detection of different biomolecules. The sensor combines a high electron mobility channel, attributed to the quasi-two-dimensional electron gas (q2DEG) at the buried In2O3/ZnO heterointerface, in close proximity to a sensing surface featuring tethered analyte receptors. The unusual tri-channel design enables strong coupling between the buried q2DEG and the minute electronic perturbations occurring during receptor-analyte interactions allowing for robust, real-time detection of biomolecules down to attomolar (aM) concentrations. By functionalizing the tri-channel surface with SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) antibody receptors, we demonstrate real-time detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 protein down to attomolar concentrations in under two minutes.