Crystal-reconstructed BiVO4 semiconductor photoelectrochemical sensor for ultra-sensitive tumor biomarker detection

Abstract

In this study, we developed a crystal-reconstructed-BiVO₄ aptamer photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor by a high-energy laser treatment technique. This biosensor achieves a limit of detection (LOD) (0.82 ag mL⁻¹), linear detection range (1 ag mL⁻¹ to 2 ng mL⁻¹), and resolution ratio (∼18 molecules per mL) for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tumor biomarker detection. Furthermore, reconstructed surface microstructure and oxygen vacancy doping energy formation after crystal reconstruction induce the stereo-hindrance effect and photogenerated hole energy is reduced during PSA target detection. In this case, a photocurrent inhibition phenomenon for PSA detection is noticed. Based on this photocurrent inversion phenomenon, some dysoxidizable nucleonic acid tumor (miRNA-21) and virus biomarkers (RdRp-COVID) can be detected with a LOD level of ∼10⁻¹⁶ M by linking the corresponding base paring probe on the surface of the crystal-reconstructed photoanode. In addition to high sensitivity, this PEC biosensor presents high detection specificity, stability, and accuracy in clinical verification. Thus, this crystal-reconstructed PEC biosensor shows application potential in the fields of multi-tumor or viral biomarker detection.