Biomolecular Piezoelectric Materials for Biosensors

Abstract

Piezoelectric biosensors are a type of analytical equipment that works based on recording affinity interactions. A piezoelectric platform, also known as a piezoelectric crystal, is a sensor component that works on the premise of oscillations changing according to the presence of a mass on the piezoelectric crystal surface. Owing to their high piezoelectricity, biocompatibility, as well as different electrical properties, biomolecular piezoelectric materials are thought to be promising candidates for future piezoelectric biosensors. When biological components in the human body are stressed, they are estimated to produce electric fields that promote cell growth and repair. As a by-product, piezoelectricity research in biological tissues and their elements has drawn much attention recently. This article specifies the principle of the advancement in piezoelectricity research of representative biomolecular materials, which are nucleic acids such as amino acids (DNA, RNA), peptides, proteins, and viruses. We also explored the origins and processes of piezoelectricity in biomolecular materials for biosensor application. Various advantages of using piezoelectric biomolecular materials for biosensor applications are elaborated. Lastly, a comprehensive idea of future challenges and discussion are provided.