An Au nanoparticle/bisbipyridinium cyclophane-functionalized ion-sensitive field-effect transistor for the sensing of adrenaline.

A film consisting of polyethyleneimine (PEI), Au nanoparticles (12 +/- 1 nm) and coadsorbed cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (1) was assembled as a sensing interface on the Al2O3 insulating layer of an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). Adrenaline (2) was sensed by the functionalized ISFET with a detection limit of 1 x 10(-6) M. The sensing ability of the nanostructured device for the analysis of adrenaline originates from the preconcentration of the analyte in the cyclophane by pi-pi donor-acceptor interactions. Analysis of adrenaline is accomplished by the measurement of the source-drain current, Isd, or by the gate-source voltage, Vgs. The sensing device is reusable (at least 100 cycles) and exhibits high stability.