Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) use biomolecular sensor technology in order to detect biomolecules. These sensors have many advantages such as low cost, ability to amplify molecular binding, and their stability in aqueous environments. OECTs have shown high sensitivity, but there is not sufficient research regarding the effect of biomolecular properties on the performance of these sensors. In the study we aimed to determine the effect of molecular weight on the sensitivity of OECTs. For preliminary tests, we used a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to examine the adsorption of biomolecules with varying molecular weights. The QCM is a highly sensitive tool that can be used to detect nanogram levels of biomolecules. We immobilized streptavidin on a QCM crystal and flowed biotin at different molecular weights over the crystal surface. In order to functionalize the QCM crystal, we made a PEDOT:PSS solution and spin-coated the sensor at 1000 rpm for 30 seconds. We placed the crystals in the QCM chamber and flowed streptavidin and biotin in order to measure the change in frequency and the molecular mass adsorption at different molecular weights. This study will enable us to understand the effect of molecular weight on adsorption and apply this knowledge to OECTs for use in point of care applications.

NSF's Nano Research Experience for Teachers at Rice University- NSF EEC-1406885

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Mariana Prado, Erin Porter, Rice University (2023), "Investigating Biomolecular Size Effects on the Performance of Organic Electrochemical Transistors," https://nanohub.org/resources/37989.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. biomolecular
2. biosensors/sensing
3. education
4. education/outreach
5. electrochemical transistors
6. K-12
7. nano technology
8. Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs)