SAW sensor for Influenza A virus detection enabled with efficient surface functionalization

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors using Love wave were designed and fabricated with SiO2-coated piezoelectric LiNbO3 wafers for Influenza A viral antigen detection, in which the targeted analyte was selectively captured at the surface through the antigen and antibody interaction enabled with appropriate surface functionalization. It was found that triethoxysilylbutylaldehyde (ALTES) and triethoxysilylundecanal ethylene glycol acetal (ACTES) are effective chemical reagents for immobilizing Influenza A hemagglutinin (HA) antibodies on the SiO2/LiNbO3 SAW surface. The detection limit of Influenza A HA H1N1 antigen at an analyte concentration as low as 1 ng mL−1 was demonstrated without any compensation design at room temperature with our obtained SAW sensors with the HA antibodies immobilized at ALTES-functionalized surface.