Real-time electronic sensor based on black phosphorus/AuNPs/DTT hybrid structure: Application in arsenic detection

Field-effect transistor (FET)-based sensors are now attracting increasing attention due to their high sensitivity, low-cost, convenient fabrication, and portability. Black phosphorus (BP) nanosheet, due to its unique structure and excellent electronic properties, becomes a promising candidate for high-performance sensing material in an FET sensor. Here, we report an FET sensor using hybrid structure of BP and dithiothreitol (DTT)-functionalized gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) for the detection of Arsenic (As) in water. The performance of the as-fabricated sensor is outstanding with a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 1 nM, which is much lower than the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for As ions in drinking water (130 nM) advised by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The sensor also shows a rapid response (within 1-2 s) and good selectivity against other metal ions (e. g., Hg2+, Ca2+, Cd2+, etc.). The rapid, selective, sensitive and stable sensing performance suggests a strong potential of this sensor platform for in-situ detection of As in water, either as a standalone device or being assembled into existing water equipment to continuously monitor water pollutants. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.