Gold nanoflower-functionalized ZnO thin film-based elliptical interdigital MSM structure for the detection of volatile organic compounds associated with breast cancer

Abstract

Gold nanoflowers were synthesized in an aqueous solution and incorporated into the sol–gel derived zinc acetate salt precursor based colloidal solution. Five microliters of the colloidal solution, which contains a pure zinc acetate precursor solution and gold nanoflowers, was dropped onto a glass substrate to create a transparent functionalized and pristine ZnO thin film. XPS, XRD, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analysis revealed a successful functionalization of gold nanoflowers on ZnO. The functionalized ZnO films decorated with gold nanoflowers, when used in an MSM structure, showed excellent sensitivity to isopropyl myristate, a crucial biomarker of breast cancer. UV light was used to improve the sensing properties of the device. In addition to improving the sensing properties, the gold nanoflowers lower the specific contact resistance at the Al/gold nanoflower-functionalized ZnO interface. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.