Vertically pillared α-Fe2O3 nanorods on carbon yarn as a textile-based stable immunosensor electrode for selective electrochemical sensing of interleukin-6 cancer biomarker

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. 2023-08, Vol.357, p.114419, Article 114419
• Main Authors: Prabhu, K., Lakshminarayanan, M., Mohankumar, G., Ponpandian, N., Viswanathan, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon cloth; Electrochemical immunosensor; IL-6; Label-free; α-Fe2O3 nanorods
• ISSN: 0924-4247; 1873-3069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2023.114419

Wearable biosensors are potential game changers in the field of non-invasive diagnosis of fatal diseases. They require advancements in designing flexible and textile-based sensor platforms. Herein, a stable, and selective electrochemical sensing platform based on conductive carbon cloth yarn (CCY) supported α-Fe2O3 nanorods for interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection was developed successfully. Well-defined vertical growth of α-Fe2O3 nanorods on CCY was achieved via a facile hydrothermal approach. The α-Fe2O3/CCY platform was adapted as a label-free immunosensor electrode by conjugating anti-IL-6 antibodies. Upon exposure to different concentrations of IL-6 (1 pg/ml to 100 ng/ml), the sensor showed a linear current variation response and a low detection limit of 0.26 pg/ml. The improved electronic conductivity and active surface area due to the integration of α-Fe2O3 onto CCY has resulted in better performance of the immunosensor electrode, as revealed by the electrochemical characterization. The immunosensor showed a selective response towards IL-6, even in the presence of interfering compounds, and showed exceptional operational stability along with shelf-life stability. The immunosensor exhibited reproducible results, which makes it a suitable candidate for developing fabric-based wearable sensors. [Display omitted] •A novel flexible sensing platform for label-free electrochemical IL-6 detection.•The constructed immunosensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards IL-6.•A low detection limit of 0.26 pg/ml with good linearity.