Graphene nanobiosensors: electronic transport properties

• Grant number: 11/23084-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: April 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Antonio José Roque da Silva
• Grantee: José Eduardo Padilha de Sousa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/16202-3 - Electronic, magnetic and transport properties of nanostructures, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/10510-6 - Electronic and vibrational properties of monolayer and multilayer MoS2 subject to an external electric field, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The graphene based sensors, in particular, Field Effect Transistors (FET) are considered one of the most promising for applications in bio-analytical research, since they offer a direct detection in real time, highly specific and ultra-sensitivity. On the sensor problem two important points has occupied most of the focus on research and development: the specificity and the capability of simultaneous determination of systems. Moreover, at the nanoscale, the sensors may become more sensitive and efficient.This post-doctorate project is inserted in this context. The understanding of the structural, electronic and transport properties at the nanometer scale are very important for the optimization of these sensors. We will apply first-principles methods based on Density Functional Theory to simulate the graphene nanobiosensors. The focus of the simulations will be given in FET-type sensors. We will study nitrogen doped graphene as the channel for the detection of two classes of biological agents: pesticides (Chloropyrifos, DDT and Aldrin) and organic molecules of biological interest (uric acid, ascorbic acid and dopamine). (AU)