Gold Nanoframe Array Electrode for Straightforward Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

• Main Authors: Agnes Purwidyantri, Ya-Chung Tian, Gardin Muhammad Andika Saputra, Briliant Adhi Prabowo Hui-Ling Liu, Chia-Ming Yang, Chao-Sung Lai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: Chemosensors
• Subjects: gold nanoframe array (GNA); nanosphere lithography (NSL); ion sensor; H₂O₂ sensor; field-effect transistor (FET); constant voltage–constant current (CVCC)
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/9/2/37

The nanostructuring of a sensing membrane is performed through colloidal nanosphere lithography (NSL) techniques with a tiny polystyrene nanobead template 100 nm in size. The solvent ratio adjustment has been proven to be effective in assisting the monolayer deposition of small templating particles with minimal defects. Two distinct structures, namely, a billowy gold nanostructure (BGN) where the nanobead template is left unetched and a gold nanoframe array (GNA) with a regular ring-like structure after template removal, are used for the extended-gate field-effect transistor (EGFET) electrodes. The GNA structure generates an electroactive surface area significantly (~20%) larger than its geometrical area as well as a greater surface roughness than the BGN. When integrated with the portable constant voltage–constant current (CVCC) FET circuitry for pH screening to determine the optimized measurement conditions for H₂O₂sensing, the GNA sensing membrane also shows more improved Nernstian sensitivity at ~50 mV/pH than the BGN electrode. The more optimized sensitivity is then proven using the GNA in the detection of H₂O₂, the most common representative reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in the environment, food, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson´s and Alzheimer´s diseases. The GNA electrode has a sensitivity of 70.42 mV/log µM [H₂O₂] and a limit of detection (LoD) of 1.183 µM H₂O₂. The integrated ion sensing system employing unique, highly ordered gold array gate electrodes and a portable CVCC circuit system has shown a stable real-time output voltage signal, representing an alternative to bulky conventional FET devices for potential on-site H₂O₂detection.