Molecular Engineering of 2D Nanomaterial Field-Effect Transistor Sensors: Fundamentals and Translation across the Innovation Spectrum

Over the last decade, 2D layered nanomaterials have attracted significant attention across the scientific community due to their rich and exotic properties. Various nanoelectronic devices based on these 2D nanomaterials have been explored and demonstrated, including those for environmental applications. Here, the fundamental attributes of 2D layered nanomaterials for field-effect transistor (FET) sensors and tunneling FET (TFET) sensors, which provide versatile detection of water contaminants such as heavy-metal ions, bacteria, nutrients, and organic pollutants, are discussed. The major challenges and opportunities are also outlined for designing and fabricating 2D nanomaterial FET/TFET sensors with superior performance. Translation of these FET/TFET sensors from fundamental research to applied technology is illustrated through a case study on graphene-based real-time FET water sensors. A second case study centers on large-scale sensor networks for water-quality monitoring to enable intelligent drinking water and river-water systems. Overall, 2D nanomaterial FET sensors have significant potential for enabling a human-centered intelligent water system that can likely be applied to other precarious water supplies around the globe.