Label-free histamine detection with nanofluidic diodes through metal ion displacement mechanism

[EN] We design and characterize a nanofluidic device for the label-free specific detection of histamine neurotransmitter based on a metal ion displacement mechanism. The sensor consists of an asymmetric polymer nanopore fabricated via ion track-etching technique. The nanopore sensor surface having metal-nitrilotriacetic (NTA-Ni2+) chelates is obtained by covalent coupling of native carboxylic acid groups with N-alpha,N-alpha-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-lysine (BCML), followed by exposure to Ni2+ ion solution. The BCML immobilization and subsequent Ni2+ ion complexation with NTA moieties change the surface charge concentration, which has a significant impact on the current-voltage (I-V) curve after…