Label-free detection of prostate specific antigen using a silicon nanobelt field-effect transistor

In this study, we proposed a silicon nanobelt field-effect transistor (FET) to detect prostate specific antigen (PSA). The nanobelt FET device displayed n-channel depletion characteristics. The immobilization of prostate specific antibody (anti-PSA) molecules was attached onto the nanobelt FET surface by using the aldehyde groups of glutaraldehyde linked to the amino groups of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The shift in the drain current vs time curves of a nanobelt FET biosensor revealed that the electrical signal had a logarithmic relationship with respect to the concentration of the PSA, and detection capability was estimated in the 5 pg/mL level. To enhance the sensitivity of a nanobelt FET biosensor, this biosensor was designed by inserting arginine molecules between glutaraldehyde and APTES. Therefore, the detection capability of the developed sensor was extended to 50 fg/mL. Also, the relationship between the current shift and the logarithm of PSA concentration was exhibited linearity in the range 50 fg/mL - 500 pg/mL. The excellent electrical results of this label-free PSA nanobelt FET biosensor suggested that such biosensor might be potentially useful tools for biological research and future prostate cancer screening.