MoS2/organics superlattices for surface-enhanced supra-Nernstian biochemical detection

The development of highly sensitive nanoelectronic biochemical sensors based on 2D materials with extraordinary electrical properties has aroused profound interest for potential applications including environmental monitoring and medical diagnosis. Herein, by purposefully connecting the source and drain electrodes at a fresh cleavage surface of a MoS2/hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) superlattice with large anisotropic conductivities, we are able to limit current conduction near the surface for quick prototyping of electrolyte-gated quasi-2D/organic superlattice transistors in a few minutes. The sensing response of the hybrid superlattice transistor to biomolecules has surpassed the Nernst limit at room temperature due to its layer-by-layer nature and the plentiful heterostructures. The confined current flow and the exceptional sensing response have provided an outstanding limit of detection down to a 10−16 M concentration with single-strand DNA molecular adsorption. Surface-enhanced current approaches in 2D/organic hybrid superlattices can be used to amplify small signals typical for biochemical detection on the nanoscale.