Nanoscale electrochemical interface for detection of analytes
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Publication Number
US-11821866-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sensor can selectively detect quantum signatures in charge transfer processes via a tunneling current. In one aspect, the sensor can include a metal electrode having a first surface and a second surface. The sensor can also include an insulator film having a first thickness, a first surface area and a first surface chemistry. The insulator film can be coupled to the metal electrode via the first surface. The sensor can also include a functionalization film having a second thickness, a second surface area and a second surface chemistry. The functionalization film can be coupled to the metal electrode via the second surface. The insulator film and the functionalization film are configured to separate the metal electrode from an electrochemical solution comprising the analyte.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is a nanoscale electrochemical interface/sensor configured to detect an analyte by detecting quantum signatures. The sensor includes a metal electrode separated from an electrochemical solution by an insulator film and a functionalization film arranged over different portions of the electrode surface. A portion of the insulator film is replaced by the functionalization film, and the first thickness of the insulator film together with the second surface area of the functionalization film define a well configured to surround and contain the electrochemical solution over the metal electrode.
The invention associates analyte detection with tunneling-current modulations linked to analyte polarization modes and quantum/nuclear capacitance effects at the sensor-electrochemical-solution interface. Sensor parameters are set using interface charge and polarization-mode characteristics, including a characteristic frequency of polarization modes, and selecting redox species based on reorganization energy. Charge transfer is described as occurring via the functionalization film under a voltage bias, with transferred current used to indicate analyte detection.
The document also provides a design framework that models the sensor with quantum/nuclear capacitance and lumped Randles-like equivalent circuit elements, including characteristic interface capacitance and characteristic charge distribution. It further includes a feedback mechanism configured to suppress thermal noise/disturbances and preserve quantum behavior at room temperature. Fabrication and examples are described showing non-classical hysteresis and step-like current features, including dependence on oxide/geometry/redox chemistry/film chemistry/analyte isotopologues.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to a sensor architecture, a system with multiple electrodes including the sensor, and a feedback-controlled analyte detection method using multiple electrodes. The inventive features include the metal electrode with an insulator film and functionalization film forming a well, together with feedback-based excitation control and interface-parameter constraints tied to capacitance, polarization modes, dielectric constants, charge distribution, and selection of redox species by reorganization energy.
Well-forming insulator-to-functionalization replacement architecture
A sensor comprising a metal electrode having a surface; an insulator film having a first thickness, a first surface area and a first surface chemistry coupled to the metal electrode via a first portion of the surface; and a functionalization film having a second thickness, a second surface area and a second surface chemistry coupled to the metal electrode via a second portion of the surface, wherein a portion of the insulator film is replaced by the functionalization film and the first thickness of the insulator film and the second surface area of the functionalization film define a well configured to surround and contain an electrochemical solution over the metal electrode.
Three-electrode analyte detection system with embedded well-forming sensor electrode
A system comprising a first electrode configured to electrically couple to an electrochemical solution, a second electrode configured to electrically couple to the electrochemical solution, and a third electrode comprising a sensor configured to detect an analyte in the electrochemical solution, the sensor comprising a metal electrode having a surface; an insulator film having a first thickness, a first surface area and a first surface chemistry coupled to the metal electrode via a first portion of the surface; and a functionalization film having a second thickness, a second surface area and a second surface chemistry coupled to the metal electrode via a second portion of the surface, wherein a portion of the insulator film is replaced by the functionalization film and the first thickness of the insulator film and the second surface area of the functionalization film define a well configured to surround and contain the electrochemical solution over the metal electrode.
Feedback-controlled excitation of an electrochemical solution for analyte detection
A method of analyte detection comprising detecting, by a feedback mechanism via a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes, a potential associated with an electrochemical solution; generating, by the feedback mechanism, a feedback signal; providing the feedback signal to the electrochemical solution via a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes, the feedback signal configured to provide excitation control of the electrochemical solution at a third electrode of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the third electrode includes a sensor configured to detect an analyte in the electrochemical solution and the sensor comprises a metal electrode having a surface; an insulator film having a first thickness, a first surface area and a first surface chemistry coupled to the metal electrode via a first portion of the surface; and a functionalization film having a second thickness, a second surface area and a second surface chemistry coupled to the metal electrode via a second portion of the surface, wherein a portion of the insulator film is replaced by the functionalization film and the first thickness of the insulator film and the second surface area of the functionalization film define a well configured to surround and contain the electrochemical solution over the metal electrode.
Across the independent claim set, the core inventive subject matter is the well-forming sensor architecture created by replacing a portion of an insulator film with a functionalization film, defining a well over a metal electrode containing an electrochemical solution, embedded in a multi-electrode system. The method pairs detection with feedback-based excitation control via multiple electrodes, with analyte detection occurring at the sensor-containing third electrode.
Stated Advantages
Suppresses thermal noise/disturbances and preserves quantum behavior at room temperature.
Documented Applications
Detecting an analyte in an electrochemical solution using a sensor having an insulator film and a functionalization film arranged to define a well over a metal electrode.
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