Carbon quantum dots(CQDs)-sensitized CdS/CuInS2 heterojunction as a photoelectrochemical biosensing platform for highly sensitive detection of prostate-specific antigen

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2024-05, Vol.272, p.125811-125811, Article 125811
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shunhua, Tang, Ximing, Zang, Linghe, Zhao, Longshan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biomarkers; biosensors; blood serum; cadmium sulfide; carbon; Carbon quantum dots; CdS/CuInS2 heterojunction; diagnostic techniques; electric current; energy; humans; indium; Photoelectrochemical immunoassay; Prostate-specific antigen; prostatic neoplasms; semiconductors
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125811

Sensitive and quantitative detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been determined to be indispensable for clinical diagnostics of prostate cancer, whereas such detection is quite challenging due to the extremely low concentration of biomarkers in human serum samples. In this study, a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor was effectively developed for the high-sensitivity analysis of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using a signal amplification method utilizing sensitized carbon quantum dots (CQDs). In this experiment, cadmium sulfide quantum dots were employed as the substrate materials, and indium copper sulfide quantum dots were loaded on their surfaces. Moreover, the efficient matching of energy levels in these two materials contributed to the generation of photocurrents. The aforementioned heterojunction semiconductor QDs were thus combined with CQDs to produce CQDs on their surfaces. As a result of the presence of CQDs, the ability of heterojunction materials to absorb light was remarkably enhanced, increasing the photocurrent by over ten times. Consequently, in this study, CQDs were combined with PEC sensors, and the developed PEC biosensors exhibited excellent optical performance, sensitivity, repeatability, and stability. The results obtained from the analysis of actual samples were satisfactory and have promising application prospects. [Display omitted] •The light absorption efficiency of CdS/CuInS2/CQDs is improved due to upconversion luminescence effect.•The photocurrent intensity of CdS/CuInS2/CQDs is almost 10 times of CdS/CuInS2.•The PEC platform exhibited desired sensitivity and stability for PSA detection.•The immunosensor is expected to contribute to precise treatment of prostate cancer.•The mechanism of the photoelectrochemical sensor is thoroughly investigated.