Quantum Capacitance-Limited MoS2 Biosensors Enable Remote Label-Free Enzyme Measurements

TL;DR

This paper presents ultra-sensitive, quantum capacitance-limited MoS2 FET biosensors capable of detecting pH changes and enzyme activity with unprecedented sensitivity, enabling early diagnostics and biomedical research.

Contribution

Introduction of monolayer MoS2 FET biosensors with quantum capacitance limit, achieving high sensitivity, low noise, and reusability for label-free enzyme detection.

Findings

Achieved 75-fold higher pH sensitivity than Nernst limit

Demonstrated detection of enzyme activity at sub-physiological concentrations

Enabled rapid, reusable measurements for biomedical applications

Abstract

We have demonstrated atomically thin, quantum capacitance-limited, field-effect transistors (FETs) that enable the detection of pH changes with ~75-fold higher sensitivity (4.4 V/pH) over the Nernst value of 59 mV/pH at room temperature when used as a biosensor. The transistors, which are fabricated from a monolayer of MoS2 with a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) in place of a conventional oxide gate dielectric, exhibit very low intrinsic noise resulting in a pH limit of detection (LOD) of 92x10^-6 at 10 Hz. This high device performance, which is a function of the structure of our device, is achieved by remotely connecting the gate to a pH sensing element allowing the FETs to be reused. Because pH measurements are fundamentally important in biotechnology, the low limit of detection demonstrated here will benefit numerous applications ranging from pharmaceutical manufacturing to clinical diagnostics. As an example, we experimentally quantified the function of the kinase Cdk5, an enzyme implicated in Alzheimer's disease, at concentrations that are 5-fold lower than physiological values, and with sufficient time-resolution to allow the estimation of both steady-state and kinetic parameters in a single experiment. The high sensitivity, low LOD and fast turnaround time of the measurements will allow the development of early diagnostic tools and novel therapeutics to detect and treat neurological conditions years before currently possible.