Views 13 | Created 2024.12.17 | Modified 2024.12.17 | Public Relations Team

·         Professor Ha Tae-Jun‘s Research Team (Department of Electronic Materials Engineering) Develops

A Cu/Zr Metal Azolate Framework-Based High-Performance Electrochemical Biosensor for Ultra-Low (~zM) Atrazine Detection

- Published in the renowned international journal Analytica Chimica Acta (IF: 5.7, top 9.9% in JCR ranking) -

Professor Ha Tae-jun‘s research team (Department of Electronic Materials Engineering) successfully developed a high-performance electrochemical biosensor for monitoring pesticide residue atrazine. The team fabricated a three-dimensional metal azolate framework (MAF) using a Cu/Zr heterometallic combination and optimized it through surface modification and ultrasonic treatment to create a two-dimensional MAF structure. The results of this study were published in Analytica Chimica Acta (IF: 5.7, top 9.9% in JCR ranking), a leading international journal in analytical chemistry by Elsevier, under the title, "Post-synthesis surface modification of Cu/Zr metal azolate framework: A pathway to highly sensitive electrochemical biosensors for atrazine detection." (Reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2024.343547)

With the rising demand for food, agricultural contamination from pesticides and water pollution have become significant social issues. As a result, there is growing interest in developing electrochemical-based high-performance biosensors for monitoring, offering rapid response, high sensitivity, and selectivity for pesticide detection. MAF, similar to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), features a highly porous structure and is widely used in various applications related to gas adsorption, catalysis, and storage. However, to develop high-performance biosensors capable of detecting ultra-low concentration target substances, challenges such as relatively low electrocatalytic activity and chemical stability must be addressed. This requires prior research on the design and optimization of the synthesis of sensing layer materials.

In response, Professor Ha Tae-jun's research team (Department of Electronic Materials Engineering) developed an electrochemical biosensor capable of detecting ultra-low concentrations of atrazine. The team transformed a three-dimensional MAF into a two-dimensional structure using a simple ultrasonic treatment method and enhanced sensitivity and selectivity through surface modification. Two-dimensional MAFs have a larger surface area per unit volume and enhanced interactions with molecules, making them advantageous for applications in gas adsorption, catalysis, and sensing. Additionally, their multilayer structure allows for the insertion of various substances or ions between layers, significantly improving electrical conductivity and catalytic performance. Using this approach, the research team successfully demonstrated a high-performance biosensor with an exceptionally low detection limit of 0.26 zM, a wide linear range from 1 zM to 1 M, and long-term chemical stability, maintaining performance for up to 60 days under ambient conditions.

Meanwhile, this study was conducted solely by Professor Ha Tae-jun's research team. Professor Ha Tae-jun has published over 80 papers related to advanced materials and process optimization for sensors and energy devices and holds more than 20 patents. Additionally, Professor Ha serves as the Industry-Academia Collaboration Director of the Korean Sensor Society. Bhavna S. Hedau, a PhD candidate and first author, has demonstrated exceptional research achievements, publishing results in top-tier international journals, including ACS Nano and Carbon.