Nb2CTx MXene-assisted double S-tapered fiber-based LSPR sensor with improved features for tyramine detection

Niobium carbide (Nb2CTx), a type of MXene with high optical transparency, large specific surface area, and good electrical conductivity, is expected to perform as an excellent medium in the field of optical fiber biosensing. Here, we fabricated double S-tapered fiber sensors functionalized with gold nanoparticles/graphene oxide/tyrosinase (AuNPs/GO/tyrosinase) and AuNPs/Nb2CTx/tyrosinase, respectively. The double S-tapered structure can provide more evanescent wave leakage and enhance light-matter interaction. By implementing transmittance experiment, the sensitivity of the two probes were tested to be 17 and 34 pm/mu M over 0-300 mu M tyramine concentrations. The comparative results demonstrate that Nb2CTx-enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor has more excellent performance due to the existence of surface functional groups and large specific surface area of Nb2CTx. Our work provides a research platform for improving the sensitivity of LSPR sensors.

Automated summary

We fabricated Nb2CTx-enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors using double S-tapered fiber sensors functionalized with gold nanoparticles/graphene oxide/tyrosinase and gold nanoparticles/Nb2CTx/tyrosinase. The Nb2CTx-enhanced LSPR sensor showed superior performance due to the presence of surface functional groups and large specific surface area of Nb2CTx. Our work provides a research platform for improving the sensitivity of LSPR sensors.