Bionanoelectronic platform with a lipid bilayer/CVD-grown MoS₂ hybrid

We demonstrate a bionanoelectronic platform for a supported lipid bilayer formed on an MoS₂ film for biosensing, biomolecule recognition, and bioelectronic applications. A large-area MoS₂ film was synthesized on a sapphire substrate and treated with O₂ plasma or Al₂O₃ deposition to change the surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Measurements of fluorescence and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching confirmed the physical properties of the lipid bilayer on the treated surfaces. We fabricated an electronic device using the treated MoS₂ film and characterized the influence of the lipid bilayer on its electrical properties. Furthermore, transmembrane ion channels peptide (gramicidin A) were incorporated into the lipid bilayer and modulations of the electrical properties of the device under various pH conditions and calcium ion were observed. This sensitive and stable platform has strong potential for housing artificial channels and transmembrane ion channels for advanced bioapplications.