Metal–organic framework transistors for dopamine sensing

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) conductive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can not only inherit the high porosity and tailorability of traditional MOFs but also exhibit unique charge transport properties, offering promising opportunities for applications in various electronic devices. Here, we report a novel solution-gated MOF transistor (SGMT) based on a Cu₃(HHTP)₂ (HHTP: 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene) channel that is conveniently prepared by a solution process. The SGMT operates in aqueous solutions with an n-channel at a low working voltage, which is the first ever realization of an n-type SGMT. The device is further exploited as a dopamine sensor and shows high sensitivity and selectivity, which can be attributed to the oxidation of dopamine on the MOF channel surface. This work paves a way for developing the applications of 2D MOFs in emerging bioelectronics.