Photoelectrochemical Detection of H2O2Based on Flower-Like CuInS2-Graphene Hybrid

Copper indium sulfide quantum dots in photocatalysis

Since the advent of photocatalytic technology, scientists have been searching for semiconductor materials with high efficiency in solar energy utilization and conversion to chemical energy. Recently, the development of quantum dot (QD) photocatalysts has attracted much attention because of their unique characteristics: small size, quantum effects, strong surface activity, and wide photoresponse range. Among ternary chalcogenide semiconductors, CuInS₂ QDs are increasingly examined in the field of photocatalysis due to their high absorption coefficients, good matching of the absorption range with sunlight spectrum, long lifetimes of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and environmental sustainability. In this review paper, the structural and electronic properties, synthesis methods and various photocatalytic applications of CuInS₂ QDs are systematically expounded. The current research status on the photocatalytic properties of materials based on CuInS₂ QD is discussed combined with the existing modification approaches for the enhancement of their performances. Future challenges and new development opportunities of CuInS₂ QDs in the field of photocatalysis are then prospected.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Released from Cancer Cells

Cancer is by far the most common cause of death worldwide. There are more than 200 types of cancer known hitherto depending upon the origin and type. Early diagnosis of cancer provides better disease prognosis and the best chance for a cure. This fact prompts world-leading scientists and clinicians to develop techniques for the early detection of cancer. Thus, less morbidity and lower mortality rates are envisioned. The latest advancements in the diagnosis of cancer utilizing nanotechnology have manifested encouraging results. Cancerous cells are well known for their substantial amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The common methods for the detection of H₂O₂ include colorimetry, titration, chromatography, spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, and chemiluminescence. These methods commonly lack selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility and have prolonged analytical time. New biosensors are reported to circumvent these obstacles. The production of detectable amounts of H₂O₂ by cancerous cells has promoted the use of bio- and electrochemical sensors because of their high sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, and miniaturized point-of-care cancer diagnostics. Thus, this review will emphasize the principles, analytical parameters, advantages, and disadvantages of the latest electrochemical biosensors in the detection of H₂O₂. It will provide a summary of the latest technological advancements of biosensors based on potentiometric, impedimetric, amperometric, and voltammetric H₂O₂ detection. Moreover, it will critically describe the classification of biosensors based on the material, nature, conjugation, and carbon-nanocomposite electrodes for rapid and effective detection of H₂O₂, which can be useful in the early detection of cancerous cells.

A nanostructured microfluidic device for plasmon-assisted electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide released from cancer cells

Non-invasive liquid biopsies offer hope for a rapid, risk-free, real-time glimpse into cancer diagnostics. Recently, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was identified as a cancer biomarker due to its continued release from cancer cells compared to normal cells. The precise monitoring and quantification of H₂O₂ are hindered by its low concentration and the limit of detection (LOD) in traditional sensing methods. Plasmon-assisted electrochemical sensors with their high sensitivity and low LOD make a suitable candidate for effective detection of H₂O₂, yet their electrical properties need to be improved. Here, we propose a new nanostructured microfluidic device for ultrasensitive, quantitative detection of H₂O₂ released from cancer cells in a portable fashion. The fluidic device features a series of self-organized gold nanocavities, enhanced with graphene nanosheets having optoelectrical properties, which facilitate the plasmon-assisted electrochemical detection of H₂O₂ released from human cells. Remarkably, the device can successfully measure the released H₂O₂ from breast cancer (MCF-7) and prostate cancer (PC3) cells in human plasma. Briefly, direct amperometric detection of H₂O₂ under simulated visible light illumination showed a superb LOD of 1 pM in a linear range of 1 pM-10 μM. We thoroughly studied the formation of self-organized plasmonic nanocavities on gold electrodes via surface and photo-electrochemical characterization techniques. In addition, the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation of the electric field demonstrates the intensity of charge distribution at the nanocavity structure edges under visible light illumination. The superb LOD of the proposed electrode combining gold plasmonic nanocavities and graphene sheets paves the way for the development of non-invasive plasmon-assisted electrochemical sensors that can effectively detect low concentrations of H₂O₂ released from cancer cells.

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Prussian Blue Electrochemically Deposited at ZrO2 Doped Carbon Nanotubes Glassy Carbon Modified Electrode

In this work, a new hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) electrochemical sensor was fabricated. Prussian blue (PB) was electrodeposited on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with zirconia doped functionalized carbon nanotubes (ZrO₂-fCNTs), (PB/ZrO₂-fCNTs/GC). The morphology and structure of the nanostructured system were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), specific surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Zirconia nanocrystallites (6.6 ± 1.8 nm) with cubic crystal structure were directly synthesized on the fCNTs walls, obtaining a well dispersed distribution with a high surface area. The experimental results indicate that the ZrO₂-fCNTs nanostructured system exhibits good electrochemical properties and could be tunable by enhancing the modification conditions and method of synthesis. The fabricated sensor could be used to efficiently detect H₂O₂, presenting a good linear relationship between the H₂O₂ concentration and the peak current, with quantification limit (LQ) of the 10.91 μmol·L^-1 and detection limit (LD) of 3.5913 μmol·L^-1.

Peroxide Electrochemical Sensor and Biosensor Based on Nanocomposite of TiO2 Nanoparticle/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor and biosensor based on modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanostructures was designed and evaluated. The construction of the sensor was performed using a glassy carbon (GC) modified electrode with a TiO₂–CNT film and Prussian blue (PB) as an electrocalatyzer. The same sensor was also employed as the basis for H₂O₂ biosensor construction through further modification with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilized at the TiO₂–fCNT film. Functionalized CNTs (fCNTs) and modified TiO₂–fCNTs were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-Ray DifFraction (XRD), confirming the presence of anatase over the fCNTs. Depending on the surface charge, a solvent which optimizes the CNT dispersion was selected: dimethyl formamide (DMF) for fCNTs and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) for TiO₂–fCNTs. Calculated values for the electron transfer rate constant (ks) were 0.027 s⁻¹ at the PB–fCNT/GC modified electrode and 4.7 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ at the PB–TiO₂/fCNT/GC electrode, suggesting that, at the PB–TiO₂/fCNT/GC modified electrode, the electronic transfer was improved. According to these results, the PB–fCNT/GC electrode exhibited better Detection Limit (LD) and Quantification Limit (LQ) than the PB–TiO₂/fCNT/GC electrode for H₂O₂. However, the PB film was very unstable at the potentials used. Therefore, the PB–TiO₂/fCNT/GC modified electrode was considered the best for H₂O₂ detection in terms of operability. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) behaviors of the HRP–TiO₂/fCNT/GC modified electrodes before and after the chronoamperometric test for H₂O₂, suggest the high stability of the enzymatic electrode. In comparison with other HRP/fCNT-based electrochemical biosensors previously described in the literature, the HRP–fCNTs/GC modified electrode did not show an electroanalytical response toward H₂O₂.

Photoelectrochemical biosensor for CEA detection based on SnS2-GR with multiple quenching effects of Au@CuS-GR

A novel signal on-off type photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing system was designed for sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) based on tin disulfide nanosheets loaded on reduced graphene cxide (SnS₂-GR) as the photoactive material and gold nanoparticles coated on reduced graphene oxide-functionalized copper sulfide (Au@CuS-GR) for signal amplification. It's the first time for SnS₂-GR was exploited as a sensing matrix. Here, the photocurrent signals of SnS₂ were amplified attributed to the sensitization effect of graphene. As signal amplifier, Au@CuS-GR could quench the photocurrents of SnS₂-GR not only through the p-n type semiconductor quenching effect as well as the steric hindrance effect, but also as peroxidase mimetics to catalyze the oxidation of 4-Chloro-1-naphthol (4-CN) to produce insoluble product on the electrode surface. Based on the multiple signal amplification ability of Au@CuS-GR, CEA was detected sensitively with a linear range from 0.1 pg mL^-1 to 10 ng mL^-1 and limit of detection down to 59.9 fg mL^-1 (S/N = 3). Meanwhile, the PEC biosensor displayed excellent performance in the assay of human serum sample, showing good application prospects for various target analysis.

Recent advances in graphene-based nanomaterials for fabricating electrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensors

Due to the large specific surface area, extraordinary mechanical flexibility, chemical stability, and superior electrical and thermal conductivities, graphene (G)-based materials have recently opened up an exciting field in the science and technology of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with continuously growing academic and technological impetus. In the past several years, graphene-based materials have been well designed, synthesized, and investigated for sensing applications. In this review, we discuss the synthesis and application of graphene-based 2D nanomaterials for the fabrication of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) electrochemical sensors. In particular, graphene-based nanomaterials as immobilization matrix of heme proteins for the fabrication of enzymatic H₂O₂ electrochemical biosensors is first summarized. Then, the application of graphene-based electrocatalysts (metal-free, noble-metals and non-noble metals) in constructing non-enzymatic H₂O₂ electrochemical sensors is discussed in detail. We hope that this review is helpful to push forward the advancement of this academic issue (189 references).