Ultrasensitive biochemical sensors based on controllably grown films of high-density edge-rich multilayer WS2 islands

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Chemical, 2022-02, Vol.353, p.131081, Article 131081
• Main Authors: Liu, Lixuan, Ye, Kun, Zhan, Qing, Xue, Tianyu, Zhai, Kun, Cheng, Yingchun, Jia, Zhiyan, Nie, Anmin, Xiang, JianYong, Mu, CongPu, Wang, Bochong, Wen, Fusheng, Zhao, Zhisheng, Gong, Yongji, Tian, Yongjun, Liu, Zhongyuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D materials; Binding sites; Biochemical sensors; Biochemistry; Density; Edge defects; Islands; Low-concentration detection; Multilayers; Nucleic acids; Sensors; Target detection; Transition metal dichalcogenides; Two dimensional materials
• ISSN: 0925-4005; 1873-3077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2021.131081

Preferentially exposed active edges are advantageous in the application of two-dimensional materials (2DMs) in high-performance biochemical sensors. Despite current progresses, controllable large-scale production of edge-rich 2DM films for practical applications remains a challenge. In this work, we report the controllable single-step growth of wafer-scale edge-rich WS2 films of high-density nanoscale multilayer WS2 islands and their application in sensitive, low detection limit biochemical sensors. The abundant edge active sites are shown to be crucial to their superior biochemical sensing performance. Investigations reveal that high-density edge S-active sites enable the highly sensitive attomolar-level Hg2+ detection as direct target probes via selective Hg-S bonding. Furthermore, 1 fM level selective detection of target viral nucleic acids (RdRp, ORF1ad) are achieved via functionalization of active edge sites with cDNA receptors. Our investigations provide a comprehensive method for application of similar edge-rich 2DM films in high-performance sensors for broad ranges of analytes. •Edge-rich 2D films possess high-density active sites enabling versatile biochemical sensing.•High density edge S-active sites act as probes, enabling sensitive attomolar-level Hg2+ detection.•Edge active sites enable selective functionalization of 2D surface with target specific receptors.•High-sensitivity, selective RNA sensing is achieved with edge-rich WS2 films.•Evenly distributed, high-density edges enable robust sensing performance.