Cu<sub>2</sub>O/PEDOT:PSS/ZnO Nanocomposite Material Biosensor for Esophageal Cancer Detection
Kuang-Wen Tseng,
Yu-Ping Hsiao,
Chun-Ping Jen,
Tsung-Shun Chang,
Hsiang-Chen Wang
Affiliations
Kuang-Wen Tseng
Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, 46, Sec. 3, Zhongzheng Rd., Sanzhi Dist., New Taipei 25245, Taiwan
Yu-Ping Hsiao
Department of Dermatology, Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No.110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
Chun-Ping Jen
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High Tech Innovations, National Chung Cheng University, 168, University Rd., Min Hsiung, Chia Yi 62102, Taiwan
Tsung-Shun Chang
Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Armed Forced General Hospital, 2, Zhongzheng 1st. Rd., Lingya District, Kaohsiung City 80284, Taiwan
Hsiang-Chen Wang
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High Tech Innovations, National Chung Cheng University, 168, University Rd., Min Hsiung, Chia Yi 62102, Taiwan
A highly sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor without external bias was developed in this study. The biosensor was configured with a p-Cu2O and n-ZnO heterostructure. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) was used to improve the crystal structure of Cu2O and ZnO and reduce the defects in the Cu2O/ZnO interface. This fabrication method provided the highly crystallized Cu2O/ZnO structure with excellent electrical property and photoresponse in visible light. The structure was applied to a biosensor for detecting two different cancerous levels of esophageal cells, namely, OE21 and OE21-1, with a high gain in photocurrent (5.8 and 6.2 times, respectively) and a low detection limit (3000 cells in 50 μL). We believe that such a p-n heterojunction PEC biosensor could advance biosensor development and provide a promising candidate for biomedical applications.
