A NiFe PBA/AuNPs nanocomposite sensitive immunosensor for electrochemical detection of PSA

Abstract

In this paper, a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive detection of prostate antigen (PSA) was developed based on a NiFe PBA/AuNPs composite. The prostate antigen antibody was immobilized and the immunosensor was constructed by using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite consisting of nickel–iron Prussian blue analog (NiFe PBA) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Due to the good biological affinity of AuNPs for biomolecules, as well as the porous nanostructure and regular shape of NiFe PBA, NiFe PBA/AuNPs nanocomposites significantly improve the electron transport rate, while achieving excellent performance for the sensor. Due to the interaction between the antibody and the antigen on the modified electrode, the current signal of the NiFe PBA itself is reduced due to the redox changes in Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺, which can be determined by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Therefore, the monitoring of prostate antigen detection is realized. Under optimal experimental conditions, the immunosensor exhibited excellent detection performance with a dynamic response range from 0.5 pg mL⁻¹ to 1000 pg mL⁻¹ for the PSA concentration and a detection limit of 0.23 pg mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3). In addition, the PSA aptasensor has good selectivity, high stability, and satisfactory reproducibility and has broad potential in clinical research and diagnostic applications.