Citation: Xing-Shi Liu, Cheng Yuan, Feng-Zao Chen, Yuan-Cheng Zhu, Jin Hu, Yazhou Wang, Hui-Min Jia, Wei-Wei Zhao. An organic photoelectrochemical transistor biosensor mimicking visual nociceptive system with self-adaptability[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(11): 112702. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112702 shu

An organic photoelectrochemical transistor biosensor mimicking visual nociceptive system with self-adaptability

Xing-Shi Liu ^{a, 1} ,
Cheng Yuan ^{a, 1} ,
Feng-Zao Chen ^{b, *,} ,
Yuan-Cheng Zhu ^a ,
Jin Hu ^{c, *,} ,
Yazhou Wang ^d ,
Hui-Min Jia ^e ,
Wei-Wei Zhao ^{a, b, *,}

a.
State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
b.
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Development for Central Nervous System Diseases, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
c.
Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
d.
Organic Bioelectronics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
e.
Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion of Henan Province, Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461000, China

chenfengzao@tzc.edu.cn

jaspar.hu@polyu.edu.hk

zww@nju.edu.cn

Received Date: 30 October 2025
Revised Date: 31 January 2026
Accepted Date: 31 March 2026
Available Online: 1 April 2026

Figures(6)

Organic photoelectrochemical transistor is now reshaping neuromorphic optoelectronics as it innovates in chemically synaptic transmission in aqueous media. Herein we report on the first OPECT biosensor capable of mimicking visual nociceptive system (VNS) based on synergizing neurotransmitter (glutamate, Glu) biosensing with chemically synaptic transmission, demonstrating hardware implementation of VNS with Glu-dependent neuromorphic functions and feedback actuation of artificial pupil. In contrast to previous studies, this work reveals that artificial nociceptive systems can be incorporated with endogenous biochemical mechanisms to bridge the gap between classic solid-state nociceptive electronics and biological systems, forging smoother interfaces between them.
- Photoelectrochemical transistor,
- Visual nociceptive system,
- Glutamate sensing,
- Aqueous media,
- Self-adaptability
1. [1]
  Y. Gao, J. Zhang, D. Liu, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 35 (2024) 108582. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108582
2. [2]
  J. Xu, C. Liang, Z. Gao, Y.Y. Song, Chin. Chem. Lett. 34 (2023) 107863. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.107863
3. [3]
  H. Zhou, Y. Zhang, S. Wang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. (2025), doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111643. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111643
4. [4]
  G. Gong, Y. Zhou, Q. Li, et al., Adv. Mater. (2025), doi: 10.1002/adma.202505420. doi: 10.1002/adma.202505420
5. [5]
  X. Zhao, H. Zou, M. Wang, et al., Adv. Mater. 36 (2024) 2403444. doi: 10.1002/adma.202403444
6. [6]
  S.T. Keene, C. Lubrano, S. Kazemzadeh, et al., Nat. Mater. 19 (2020) 969–973. doi: 10.1038/s41563-020-0703-y
7. [7]
  T. Sarkar, K. Lieberth, A. Pavlou, et al., Nat. Electron. 5 (2022) 774–783. doi: 10.1038/s41928-022-00859-y
8. [8]
  S. Wang, X. Chen, C. Zhao, et al., Nat. Electron. 6 (2023) 281–291. doi: 10.1038/s41928-023-00950-y
9. [9]
  Y.T. Xu, S.Y. Yu, Z. Li, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 121 (2024) e2403143121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2403143121
10. [10]
  S.Y. Yu, J. Hu, Z. Li, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146 (2024) 27022–27029. doi: 10.1021/jacs.4c08833
11. [11]
  Z.M. Duan, Y.T. Xu, Z. Li, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 64 (2025) e202420602. doi: 10.1002/anie.202420602
12. [12]
  X. Zhang, J.X. Pang, Y.H. Kang, et al., Anal. Chem. 97 (2025) 22548–22554. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03531
13. [13]
  C.J. Woolf, Q. Ma, Neuron 55 (2007) 353–364. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.07.016
14. [14]
  G. Feng, J. Jiang, Y. Li, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 31 (2021) 2104327. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202104327
15. [15]
  Y. Lin, W. Wang, R. Li, et al., Nano Energy 121 (2024) 109267. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109267
16. [16]
  Z. Li, G. Zou, Y. Xiao, et al., Nano Energy 127 (2024) 109733. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109733
17. [17]
  D.T. Organisciak, D.K. Vaughan, Prog. Retinal Eye Res. 29 (2010) 113–134. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2009.11.004
18. [18]
  G. Ding, H. Li, J. Zhao, et al., Chem. Rev. 124 (2024) 12738–12843. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00369
19. [19]
  K. He, C. Wang, Y. He, J. Su, X. Chen, Chem. Rev. 123 (2023) 13796–13865. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00527
20. [20]
  P. Gkoupidenis, Y. Zhang, H. Kleemann, et al., Nat. Rev. Mater. 9 (2024) 134–149.
21. [21]
  C.S. Wang, B.Y. Zhou, Y.F. Wang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 110080. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110080
22. [22]
  J.H. Zhu, X. Yang, Y. Zheng, et al., ACS Nano 19 (2025) 20247–20256. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5c06982
23. [23]
  F. Corrado, U. Bruno, M. Prato, et al., Nat. Commun. 14 (2023) 6760. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41083-2
24. [24]
  V. Druet, D. Ohayon, C.E. Petoukhoff, et al., Nat. Commun. 14 (2023) 5481. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41313-7
25. [25]
  J. Hu, M.J. Jing, Y.T. Huang, et al., Adv. Mater. 36 (2024) 2405887. doi: 10.1002/adma.202405887
26. [26]
  C. Yuan, K.X. Xu, Y.T. Huang, J.J. Xu, W.W. Zhao, Adv. Mater. 36 (2024) 2407654. doi: 10.1002/adma.202407654
27. [27]
  Y.T. Huang, Z. Li, C. Yuan, et al., Adv. Mater. 37 (2025) 2503030. doi: 10.1002/adma.202503030
28. [28]
  Y. Wang, W. Shan, H. Li, et al., Nat. Commun. 16 (2025) 1615. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56814-w
29. [29]
  X. Liu, S. Dai, Y. Jin, et al., Nat. Commun. 17 (2025) 197. doi: 10.2528/pierc24111401
30. [30]
  Z. Li, Q.Q. Wu, M.H. Chen, et al., eScience 5 (2025) 100374. doi: 10.1016/j.esci.2025.100374
31. [31]
  Q.Q. Wu, Z. Li, M.H. Chen, et al., Adv. Mater. 37 (2025) 2504338. doi: 10.1002/adma.202504338
32. [32]
  Y. Zheng, J.H. Zhu, S. Wang, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2418158. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202418158
33. [33]
  F.Z. Chen, L. Hou, Y. Gao, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 34 (2024) 2408186. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202408186
34. [34]
  C. Yuan, Q. Wu, K.X. Xu, et al., Biosens. Bioelectron. 257 (2024) 116346. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116346
35. [35]
  D. Leng, T. Wu, X. Ren, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 36 (2026) e16018. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202516018
36. [36]
  C.S. Wang, L. Hou, S.J. Liu, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 36 (2026) e27361. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202527361
37. [37]
  D. Ghezzi, M.R. Antognazza, R. Maccarone, et al., Nat. Photonics 7 (2013) 400–406. doi: 10.1038/nphoton.2013.34
38. [38]
  Z. Li, M.H. Chen, Q.Q. Wu, et al., Natl. Sci. Rev. 12 (2025) nwaf213. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaf213
39. [39]
  Z. Li, F.Q. Liu, Q.Q. Wu, et al., ACS. Nano 19 (2025) 20029–20036. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5c03749
40. [40]
  Y.T. Huang, K.X. Xu, X.S. Liu, et al., Anal. Chem. 95 (2023) 17912–17919. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04263
41. [41]
  Z. Li, Q.Q. Wu, Y. Wang, et al., Adv. Mater. 38 (2026) e07054. doi: 10.1002/adma.202507054
42. [42]
  F.J. Yu, Z. Yang, K.X. Xu, et al., Anal. Chem. 97 (2025) 21459–21465. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03368
43. [43]
  J. Hu, Z. Li, Y.T. Huang, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2412928. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202412928
44. [44]
  C. -S. Wang, Y. Jiang, Z. Li, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2500235. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202500235
45. [45]
  K.X. Xu, C. Yuan, H. Lou, et al., Chin. J. Chem. 42 (2024) 1999–2004. doi: 10.1002/cjoc.202400206
46. [46]
  A.E. Dubin, A. Patapoutian, J. Clin. Invest. 120 (2010) 3760–3772. doi: 10.1172/JCI42843
47. [47]
  D.M. Blitz, K.A. Foster, W.G. Regehr, Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 5 (2004) 630–640. doi: 10.1038/nrn1475
48. [48]
  Z. Zhang, L. Shi, B. Wang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 109687. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109687
49. [49]
  K. Zhu, S. Pazos, F. Aguirre, et al., Nature 618 (2023) 57–62. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-05973-1
50. [50]
  A.I. Basbaum, D.M. Bautista, G. Scherrer, D. Julius, Cell 139 (2009) 267–284. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.09.028
51. [51]
  T. Hucho, J.D. Levine, Neuron 55 (2007) 365–376. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.07.008
52. [52]
  M.S. Gold, G.F. Gebhart, Nat. Med. 16 (2010) 1248–1257. doi: 10.1038/nm.2235
53. [53]
  J.H. Yoon, Z. Wang, K.M. Kim, et al., Nat. Commun. 9 (2018) 417. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02572-3
54. [54]
  S. Qu, L. Sun, S. Zhang, et al., Nat. Commun. 14 (2023) 7181. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-42240-3
55. [55]
  L. Zheng, J. Ren, Y. Liu, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 512 (2025) 162436. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.162436
56. [56]
  J. Li, Y. Zhou, Y. Li, et al., ACS Photonics 11 (2024) 4578–4587. doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c00877
1. [1]
  Cheng-Shuang Wang , Bing-Yu Zhou , Yi-Feng Wang , Cheng Yuan , Bo-Han Kou , Wei-Wei Zhao , Jing-Juan Xu . Bifunctional iron-porphyrin metal-organic frameworks for organic photoelectrochemical transistor gating and biosensing. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110080-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110080
2. [2]
  Zheng Zhang , Lei Shi , Bin Wang , Jingyuan Qu , Xiaoling Wang , Tao Wang , Qitao Jiang , Wuhong Xue , Xiaohong Xu . Epitaxial growth of full-vdW α-In₂Se₃/MoS₂ heterostructures for all-in-one sensing and memory-computing artificial visual system. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 109687-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109687
3. [3]
  Yingying Yan , Wanhe Jia , Rui Cai , Chun Liu . An AIPE-active fluorinated cationic Pt(Ⅱ) complex for efficient detection of picric acid in aqueous media. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(5): 108819-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108819
4. [4]
  Junying Zhang , Ruochen Li , Haihua Wang , Wenbing Kang , Xing-Dong Xu . Photo-induced tunable luminescence from an aggregated amphiphilic ethylene-pyrene derivative in aqueous media. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(6): 109216-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109216
5. [5]
  Bharathi Natarajan , Palanisamy Kannan , Longhua Guo . Metallic nanoparticles for visual sensing: Design, mechanism, and application. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(9): 100349-100349. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100349
6. [6]
  Qinghong Pan , Huafang Zhang , Qiaoling Liu , Donghong Huang , Da-Peng Yang , Tianjia Jiang , Shuyang Sun , Xiangrong Chen . A self-powered cathodic molecular imprinting ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical tetracycline sensor via ZnO/C photoanode signal amplification. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(1): 110169-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110169
7. [7]
  Li Li , Xue Ke , Shan Wang , Zhuo Jiang , Yuzheng Guo , Chunguang Kuai . Antioxidative strategies of 2D MXenes in aqueous energy storage system. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110423-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110423
8. [8]
  Xing-Cheng Hu , Qiu-Shui Mu , Shu-Jin Bao , Yan Zou , Xin-Yu Wang , Guo-Xin Jin . Ligand conformational adaptability modulated self-assembly of Solomon links (412) and trefoil knots (31). Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(10): 100712-100712. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100712
9. [9]
  Qian Ren , Xue Dai , Ran Cen , Yang Luo , Mingyang Li , Ziyun Zhang , Qinghong Bai , Zhu Tao , Xin Xiao . A cucurbit[8]uril-based supramolecular phosphorescent assembly: Cell imaging and sensing of amino acids in aqueous solution. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 110022-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110022
10. [10]
  Yang LIU , Jin TONG , Shuyan YU . Co(Ⅱ) coordination polymers: Structural characterization and fluorescence sensing of Al³⁺ in aqueous. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(11): 2399-2408. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250114
11. [11]
  Shang-Wei Yuan , Li Zeng , Li Wu , Ji-Li Yuan , Chao Kang , Xi Zeng , Pei-Hua Ma , Xin Xiao . A smartphone sensing platform based on cucurbit[8]uril for rapid visual quantitative detection of S₂O₈^2-. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(7): 111962-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111962
12. [12]
  Xiaojuan Chen , Yanwei Ma , Yiwen Lu , Huimin Zhang , Baozhu Yang , Qi Liu . A high-performance chemically self-charging aqueous zinc battery using a porous organic polymer cathode. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(3): 110666-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110666
13. [13]
  Yinzhou Guo , Yuanyuan Chen , Min Zhang , Chenhui Cui , Xiaoqing Ming , Zhang Qiang , Jiao Jiao , Yilong Cheng , Zhishen Ge , Yanfeng Zhang . Polymerizable deep eutectic solvent–based gels with recyclability and self-healing for low-temperature wearable sensing. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(10): 112122-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112122
14. [14]
  Yujing HUANG , Yuan GOU , Kexin JI , Xingcai HUANG , Siyuan CHEN , Jiaojiao KONG , Yanqing WANG . Thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole fluorophore functionalization in 2D Cd(Ⅱ) metal-organic frameworks triggering a luminescence enhancement for highly sensitive aqueous antibiotic sensing. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(9): 1945-1958. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20260147
15. [15]
  Xiaofei NIU , Ke WANG , Fengyan SONG , Shuyan YU . Self-assembly of [Pd₆(L)₄]⁸⁺-type macrocyclic complexes for fluorescent sensing of HSO₃^-. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(7): 1233-1242. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240057
16. [16]
  Shengdong Sun , Cheng Wang , Shikuo Li . Interfacial channel design on the charge migration for photoelectrochemical applications. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(12): 100398-100398. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100398
17. [17]
  Li Li , Lin-Lin Zhang , Yansha Gao , Lu-Ying Duan , Wuying Yang , Xigen Huang , Yanping Hong , Jiaxin Hong , Lin Yuan , Limin Lu . Target self-calibration ratiometric fluorescent sensor based on facile-synthesized europium metal-organic framework for multi-color visual detection of levofloxacin. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(7): 110436-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110436
18. [18]
  Jing Li , Jie Wang , Bingqian Li , Meng Long , Xiumei Liu , Dengxuan Mao , Patrick Pan , Ying Liu , Zimei Wu , Yaqi Lyu , Nianping Feng . Engineering a garlic-derived nanovesicle/microneedle system to boost melanoma immunotherapy through self-amplifying cell death activation and immune remodelling. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(8): 111878-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111878
19. [19]
  Jingjing Zhang , Lan Ding , Vadim Popkov , Kezhen Qi . Aqueous indium metal batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110407-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110407
20. [20]
  Hang Chen , Chengzhi Cui , Hebo Ye , Hanxun Zou , Lei You . Enhancing hydrolytic stability of dynamic imine bonds and polymers in acidic media with internal protecting groups. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(5): 109145-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109145

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(28)
HTML views(1)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142