Issue 32, 2020

Ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical sensor enabled by a target-induced signal quencher release strategy

Abstract

In this work, a target-induced signal quencher release strategy was proposed to construct a sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor. To achieve this, Cu nanoclusters (NCs) featuring outstanding chemical performance were introduced and then pickled with acid to generate Cu2+ signal quenchers to quench the photocurrent response. Moreover, the three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical seaweed-like TiO2 nanomaterial (HSTN) was prepared for the first time and served as the electron transporting material, which could provide the highly efficient pathways for the transfer of photoinduced electrons. Meanwhile, in order to extend the light response to the visible range, narrow band gap CdS quantum dots (QDs) were employed to form a HSTN/CdS heterojunction. In addition, magnetic bead (MB) modified PSA aptamer (MB-Apt) was used as the auxiliary structure which could combine with DNA-Cu NCs through specific recognition. When the target PSA was found, the MB-Apt would bond with PSA due to the relatively large interaction force, triggering the release of Cu NCs. With the aid of acid, the Cu NCs could be converted to Cu2+ and then react with CdS to form CuxS, decreasing the photocurrent signal. Consequently, the concentration of PSA could be accurately detected through monitoring the change of photocurrent. This work provides an ingenious idea for the fabrication of highly sensitive PEC sensors.

Graphical abstract: Ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical sensor enabled by a target-induced signal quencher release strategy

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 mars 2020
Accepted
17 mai 2020
First published
08 juin 2020

New J. Chem., 2020,44, 13882-13888

Ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical sensor enabled by a target-induced signal quencher release strategy

L. Zhang, J. Xue, C. Gao, M. Xu, P. Zhao, S. Ge and J. Yu, New J. Chem., 2020, 44, 13882 DOI: 10.1039/D0NJ01435D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements