Ion-sensitive field effect transistors using carbon nanotubes as the transducing layer

We report a new type of ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET). This type of ISFET incorporates a new architecture, containing a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as the transduction layer, making an external reference electrode unnecessary. To show an example of its application, the SWCNT-based ISFET is able to detect at least 10(-8) M of potassium in water using an ion-selective membrane containing valinomycin.     

New membrane materials for potassium-selective ion-sensitive field-effect transistors

Several polymeric materials were studied as membrane materials for potassium-selective ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) to overcome the problems related with the use of conventional plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes casted on ISFET gate surfaces. Several acrylate materials, such as ACE, Epocryl and derivatives, showed no reproducible results. Three room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV)-type silicone rubbers were tested. The addition-type RTV-2 silicone rubber was not suitable as a membrane material, but the condensation-type RTV-1 and especially the RTV-2 silicone rubber showed good results. ISFETs with a Silopren membrane showed a durability of at least 2 months.     

Alcohol-FET sensor based on a complex cell membrane enzyme system

An alcohol -FET sensor was developed by use of a complex enzyme system in a cell membrane and an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET). The cell membrane of Gluconobacter suboxydans IFO 12528, which converts ethanol to acetic acid, was immobilized on the gate of an ISFET with calcium alginate gel coated with nitrocellulose. This ISFET (1), a reference ISFET without the cell membrane (ISFET 2) and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode were placed in 5 mM Trismalate buffer (pH 5.5, 25°C), and the differential output between ISFETS 1 and 2 was measured. The output of the sensor was stabilized by adding pyrroloquinoline quinone. The response time was ca. 10 min., and there was a linear relationship between the differential output voltage and the ethanol concentration up to 20 mg l^?1. The output of the sensor was stable for 40 h below 30°C. The sensor responded to ethanol, propan- 1-ol and butan- 1-ol, but not to methanol, propan-2-ol and butan-2-ol. The sensor was used to determine blood ethanol.     

Reference field effect transistors based on chemically modified ISFETs

Different hydrophobic polymers were used for chemical modification of ion-sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) in order to prepare a reference FET (REFET). Chemical attachment of the polymer to the ISFET gate results in a long lifetime of the device. Properties of polyacrylate (polyACE) REFETs are described in detail. The polyACE-REFET is superior to other polymer modified REFETs, showing an excellent pH insensitivity (?1 mV pH^?1), a long lifetime and an electrically identical behaviour as an unmodified pH ISFET or a cation-selective PVC-MEMFET (membrane FET). The cation permeselectivity of the polymer can be significantly reduced by addition of immobile cations. The applicability of a polyACE-REFET in differential measurements with a pH ISFET and a K⁺ MEMFET is demonstrated.     

Potentiometric response of lipid modified ISFET

The gate surface of an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) was modified with Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film composed of fatty acid or crown ether amphiphiles to examine their potentiometric response to H⁺ and K⁺ ions. The results demonstrate the possible use of the lipid films for preparing ISFET ion sensors.     

Ascorbic acid sensor based on ion-sensitive field-effect transistor modified with MnO2 nanoparticles

An ascorbic acid (AA) sensor based on an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) was prepared by modifying the sensitive area of the transducer with MnO₂ nanoparticles. An additional Nafion membrane coated on top of the sensor was used to immobilize the MnO₂ nanoparticles and restrict the amount of ascorbic acid entering the membrane. The reaction of the MnO₂ nanoparticles with ascorbic acid produced a local pH change, which was correlated with the ascorbic acid concentration and could be monitored by the ISFET. The linear range of the ascorbic acid sensor was 0.02-1.27 mM, and the detection limit was 0.01 mM. The effects of buffer concentration, pH, and ionic strength on the sensor performance were also examined. In addition, the sensor has good stability and reproducibility, and the construction and renewal of the sensor are simple and inexpensive.     

Development of an EnFET for the detection of organophosphorous and carbamate insecticides

A biosensor for the detection of insecticides based on an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) was developed. The resulting device combines the simplicity of potentiometric sensors and the use of associated electronic systems as powerful tools for the acquisition and the processing of data. The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was entrapped in a membrane placed on the gate of the ISFET forming an enzyme field-effect transistor (EnFET). The biosensor is applied to the determination of pesticides in spiked real samples. Organophosphorous and carbamate insecticides were measured with a detection limit of 10(-8) mol L(-1). The measurement is based on the production of hydrogen ions due to the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine by the enzyme. The resulting local pH change is picked up by the underlying pH-sensitive ISFET and transduced as potential variations. The preparation of the membrane is simple and reproducible. The analysis in spiked real samples was performed in tap water and showed detection limits comparable to those obtained by other researchers.     

Towards advanced chemical microsensors-an overview

The paper presents design and performance of miniaturized chemical sensors based on silicon transducers: ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) and solid-state electrode (SSE). The sensors were fabricated as back-side contact structures, which facilitate their mounting in a flow-cell. The role of an intermediate layer between the transducer and the ion-selective membrane is discussed. Various polymeric matrices were used to manufacture microsensors: polysiloxanes, polyacrylates (polymethacrylates), polyurethanes.     

Enzyme sensors based on an ion-sensitive field effect transistor coated with Langmuir-Blodgett membranes. Use of polyethyleneimine as a spacer for immobilizing alpha-chymotrypsin

A highly branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used as a spacer for immobilizing alpha-chymotrypsin on the surface of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) membranes which were deposited on the gate of an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET). alpha-Chymotrypsin could be covalently immobilized through the glutaraldehyde-activated PEI on the LB membrane-coated ISFET. The alpha-chymotrypsin-modified ISFET showed a potentiometric response to the substrate at concentrations of more than 0.1 mM. Some performance characteristics of the sensor, such as pH response, response time, and long-term stability were examined.     

Integrated multi-sensor chip with photocured polymer membranes containing copolymerised plasticizer for direct pH, potassium, sodium and chloride ions determination in blood serum

An analytical system based on a sensor array with ion-selective field effect transistors (ISFETs) monolithically integrated in one chip covered with photocured polymer membranes containing copolymerised plasticizer and a sequential injection analysis (SIA) is shown to offer an automation of the analysis of blood serum components. For sequential injection system a custom made dual channel flow cell for the sensor array was developed. Optimisation of ion-sensitive membrane characteristics and calibration solution compositions were carried out. The system was used to analyze sodium, potassium, chloride ion contents in blood serum samples. The precision of the ion determination in samples was typical for potentiometic method with standard deviation of about 3-5%.     

Chemfet Based Microsensors Covered with Ion-Partitioning Polymeric Membranes

 The development of a new type of microsensors based on chemically sensitive field-effect transistors (CHEMFETs) covered with polymeric bulk ion-partitioning membranes is presented. For the construction of the microsensor, a PVC plasticized membrane containing two ionophores, one selective to protons and the other to the analyte cation of interest, is placed on the gate of a pH sensitive field-effect transistor which acts as the transducer. With the use of thin (5–10 μm) ion-partitioning membranes onto the pH-sensitive ISFET gate, the proton displacement out of the membrane and to the pH sensitive gate is fast and reversible. This displacement generates a signal that is directly related to the analyte concentration found in the test solution. Comparing the performance of CHEMFETs and ISEs selective to the monovalent potassium cation and the divalent calcium ion validates this novel CHEMFET response mechanism.     

A new anion-sensitive biosensor using an ion-sensitive field effect transistor and a light-driven chloride pump,halorhodopsin

A new biosensor sensitive to chloride anion using a light-driven chloride pump protein, halorhodopsin (hR), and an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) has been developed. Membrane vesicles of halophilic bacteria containing hR were immobilized in the matrix of polyvinylbutyral resin on the surface of the ISFET. The gate voltage of this device changed in the min time scale under yellow light illumination. The response for chloride anion increased according to the increase of chloride anion concentration in the bulk aqueous phase. In the dark, the gate potential did not change even in the presence of chloride anion. These chloride-dependent gate potential changes of the hR-ISFET indicate that the chloride pumping by hR is active on the ISFET and that ISFET detects the light-dependent chloride transport by hR.     

A lift-off method for patterning enzyme-immobilized membranes in multi-biosensors

A new method for preparing enzyme-immobilized membranes of multi- biosensors has been developed and demonstrated by fabricating a multi- biosensor for glucose and urea, based on the pH-selective ion-sensitive field effect transitor. The enzyme solution, containing glutaraldehyde, is spin coated onto a water covered with a patterned photoresist. The resulting enzyme-immobilized membrane is lifted off by ultrasonic vibration in acetone, except for the membrane on the transitor gates. The deposited membrane is precisely patterned and difficult to peel off. The method is compatible with IC processes and applicable to multi-biosensor mass production     

Potassium ion-selective electrodes based on valinomycin/PVC overlayered solid substrates

In this work, permutations of plasticized PVC membranes with incorporated valinomycin are coated over various substrate metallizations. Characterization of the resulting potassium electrodes includes measurement of sensitivity, short- and long-term potential drift, dissolved oxygen induced potential transients and probe lifetime. Results using the best performing metallizations compare favorably with those obtained using identical membranes in the symmetrical solution contact configuration. Prospects for use of this approach as the ion-sensing layer of ISFET (Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor) devices are considered.     

Carbon-13 spin-lattice relaxation studies of the effect of water on ion-selective electrode membranes

(13)C spin-lattice relaxation studies on bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DOA) plasticized poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) membranes are reported for plasticization levels ranging from 25 to 100 wt% plasticizer. The interaction between DOA and PVC molecules in these membranes appears to involve an entrapment of the plasticizer molecule within the polymer matrix. This is based on the constancy of the characteristic segmental motions of the plasticizer chains throughout the concentration range studied. The segmental mobility of the plasticizer component is modified by water absorption in the membrane. The pattern of characteristic segmental motions of the plasticizer is altered, the effect depending on the amount of added salt in the membrane. The results show water has a weak influence on the microviscosity of the membrane matrix.     

Ion-selective electrodes for the determination of ionic liquids in water using direct potentiometry

Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) with membranes based on ion exchangers plasticized with o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE), diethyl sebacate (DES), or dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are used for the determination of ionic liquids (ILs) in water. The membrane composition is optimized with respect to the ion-exchanger concentration and the plasticizer.     

Development of an ion-sensitive field effect transistor based on PVC membrane technology with improved long-term stability

An NH -ISFET sensor based on PVC membrane technology with improved long-term stability has been developed. As a new approach, the plasticizer (tetra-n-undecyl) 3,3′,4,4′ -benzhydroltetracarboxylate (ETH2112) was used in membrane preparation. Its lipophilic nature provides a restricted diffusion of the membrane components to the external solution and improves membrane adhesion to the gate area of the ISFET. The good performance of this plasticizer was confirmed by comparison with usual plasticizers applied in standard ISE technology. Moreover, the durability and stability of the sensor were enhanced by the application of a graphite-epoxy layer as an internal reference between the gate area and the PVC membrane. This composite layer permits the reduction of the optical sensitivity and improves the adherence of the PVC membrane to the ISFET surface. Furthermore, this composite layer acts as a plug, preventing the entrance of water upon the encapsulant-chip interface, thus protecting electrical connections from moisture. As a result, an NH -ISFET with a long-term stability of three months and a sensitivity of −58.7 ± 2.3 mV decade⁻¹ in a linear range of 10⁻⁵ −0.1 mol dm⁻³ has been developed. The application of this sensor to a continuous-flow system has confirmed the feasibility of the technological approach proposed.     

Design and properties of a flow-injection analysis cell using potassium-selective ion-sensitive field-effect transistors as detection elements

The combination of flow-injection analysis (FIA) and chemically modified ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (CHEMFETs) is described. In a wall-jet cell, two identical potassium-selective CHEMFETs were used for a differential measurement using a platinum (pseudo-)reference electrode. Silicone-rubber membrane materials, chemically bound to the SiO₂ gate oxide, were used with valinomycin as the ionophore. The optimized FIA system showed a linear response of 56 mV per decade for potassium concentrations above 5 × 10^?5 M. Preliminary results of potassium determinations in human serum and urine samples are presented.     

Immobilization of E. coli bacteria in three-dimensional matrices for ISFET biosensor design

In recent years, cell-based biosensors (CBBs) have been very useful in biomedicine, food industry, environmental monitoring and pharmaceutical screening. They constitute an economical substitute for enzymatic biosensors, but cell immobilization remains a limitation in this technology. To investigate into the potential applications of cell-based biosensors, we describe an electrochemical system based on a microbial biosensor using an Escherichia coli K-12 derivative as a primary transducer to detect biologically active agents. pH variations were recorded by an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) sensor on bacteria immobilized in agarose gels. The ISFET device was directly introduced in 100 ml of this mixture or in a miniaturized system using a dialysis membrane that contains 1 ml of the same mixture. The bacterial activity could be detected for several days. The extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was analyzed with or without the addition of a culture medium or an antibiotic solution. At first, the microorganisms acidified their micro-environment and then they alkalinized it. These two phases were attributed to an apparent substrate preference of bacteria. Cell treatment with an inhibitor or an activator of their metabolism was then monitored and streptomycin effect was tested.