Light-triggered on/off-switchable bioelectronic FET device

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel light-responsive bioelectronic FET device using a hybrid of purple membrane and carbon nanotubes, demonstrating stable optical and electronic switching capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a new bio-nano hybrid FET device that is optically active, stable, and capable of reversible n-type and p-type switching under light illumination.

Findings

Device exhibits stable n-type and p-type FET behavior.

Significant optical doping and photo-conductivity observed.

Reversible switching under visible light illumination.

Abstract

We report fabrication of an optically active, bio-electronic device based on thin film of purple membrane and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). Two dimensional (2D) crystals of photoactive bacteriorhodopsin forms the optical center of the purple membrane where as pure SWNTs provides the necessary electronic support to the complex. Electro-optically functional and stable, hybrid complex was prepared using surface functionalization of SWNTs with indigenous, batch-process synthesized purple membrane. Raman spectra of the hybrid complex shows significant charge transfer and surface functionalization of SWNTs. Optically active, field effect transistor based on the prepared thin film of bio-nano hybrid complex is fabricated using direct laser lithography and conventional lift off technology. Significant optical doping is observed in the fabricated field effect transistor. Fabricated devices show repeatable stable performance with well-controlled optical and electronic gating. Device shows essentially n-type FET characteristics and transistor is ON for positive gate voltages. However, same n-type FET shows complimentary p-type characteristics under visible light illumination, with transistor being ON for negative gate voltages. Significant optical doping, photo-conductivity and optical switching were observed.