Plasmonic Bi microspheres doped carbon nitride heterojunction: Intensive photoelectrochemical aptasensor for bisphenol A

Carbon-based photoelectrochemical sensors: recent developments and future prospects

Owing to the considerable potential of photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors, they have gained significant attention in the analysis of biological, environmental, and food markers. However, the limited charge mass transfer efficiency and rapid recombination of electron hole pairs have become obstacles in the development of PEC sensors. In this case, considering the unique advantages of carbon-based materials, they can be used as photosensitizers, supporting materials and conductive substrates and coupled with semiconductors to prepare composite materials, solving the above problems. In addition, there are many types of carbon materials, which can have semiconductor properties and form heterojunctions after coupling with semiconductors, effectively promoting the separation of electron hole pairs. Herein, we aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of reports on carbon-based PEC sensors by introducing their research and application status and discussing future development trends in this field. In particular, the types and performance improvement strategies of carbon-based electrodes and the working principles of carbon-based PEC sensors are explained. Furthermore, the applications of carbon-based photoelectric sensors in environmental monitoring, biomedicine, and food detection are highlighted. Finally, the current limitations in the research on carbon-based PEC sensors are emphasized and the need to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity through material modification, structural design, improved device performance, and other strategies are emphasized.

A dual-mode "signal-on" split-type aptasensor for bisphenol A via target-induced hybridization chain reaction amplification

Herein, a dual-mode detection system was constructed for efficient and accurate detection of bisphenol A (BPA) with the assistance of the BPA-induced hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The captured DNA (cDNA) was first modified on the surface of magnetic spheres modified with gold nanoparticles and polydopamine and then hybridized with the BPA aptamer to form double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). In the presence of the BPA target, the BPA aptamer was released from the surface of the magnetic sphere. The free cDNA triggered a HCR to construct a DNA duplex. Methylene blue (MB), as a bifunctional probe, was intercalated into the double-stranded DNA to amplify the photocurrent (IPEC) of the CdS-modified electrode and generate an electrochemical current (IEC) at the same time. Under the optimized conditions, the PEC and EC signal responses of the system were linear to the logarithm of BPA concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10-10 M to 1.0 × 10-5 M. The detection limits were found to be 1.27 × 10-11 M and 3.0 × 10-11 M using the PEC and EC methods, respectively. The constructed dual-mode biosensor exhibited good performance for real sample analysis, demonstrating its promising potential for practical applications. In addition, this dual-mode detection strategy provides more accurate and reliable detection results.

Advancements in nanomaterial-based aptasensors for the detection of emerging organic pollutants in environmental and biological samples

The combination of nanomaterials (NMs) and aptamers into aptasensors enables highly specific and sensitive detection of diverse pollutants. The great potential of aptasensors is recognized for the detection of diverse emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) in different environmental and biological matrices. In addition to high sensitivity and selectivity, NM-based aptasensors have many other advantages such as portability, miniaturization, facile use, and affordability. This work showcases the recent advances achieved in the design and fabrication of NM-based aptasensors for monitoring EOPs (e.g., hormones, phenolic contaminants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals). On the basis of their sensing mechanisms, the covered aptasensing systems are classified as electrochemical, colorimetric, PEC, fluorescence, SERS, and ECL. Special attention has been paid to the fabrication processes, analytical achievements, and sensing mechanisms of NM-based aptasensors. Further, the practical utility of aptasensing approaches has also been assessed based on their basic performance metrics (e.g., detection limits, sensing ranges, and response times).

New Aptamer/MoS2/Ni-Fe LDH Photoelectric Sensor for Bisphenol A Determination

Here, a new type of PEC aptamer sensor for bisphenol A (BPA) detection was developed, in which visible-light active MoS₂/Ni-Fe LDH (layered double hydroxide) heterostructure and aptamer were used as photosensitive materials and biometric elements, respectively. The combination of an appropriate amount of MoS₂ and Ni-Fe LDH enhances the photocurrent response, thereby promoting the construction of the PEC sensor. Therefore, we used a simple in situ growth method to fabricate a MoS₂/Ni-Fe LDH sensor to detect the BPA content. The aptasensor based on aptamer/MoS₂/Ni-Fe LDH displayed a linear range toward a BPA of 0.05-10 to 50-40,000 ng L^-1, and it has excellent stability, selectivity and reproducibility. In addition, the proposed aptamer sensor is effective in evaluating real water samples, indicating that it has great potential for detecting BPA in real samples.

Boosting photoresposive ability of WO3-Bi2O3nanocomposite rods via annealing-induced intrinsic precipitation of nanosized Bi particles

In this study, Bi-particle-functionalized tungsten trioxide-bismuth oxide (WO₃-Bi₂O₃) composite nanorods were prepared by integrating sputtering and hydrothermal syntheses with an appropriate postannealing procedure to induce Bi particle precipitation. Unlike other routes in which metal particle decoration is achieved externally, in this study, photoresponsive one-dimensional WO₃-Bi₂O₃composite nanorods were decorated with Bi particles by using the internal precipitation method. Structural analysis revealed that the Bi-metal-particle-functionalized WO₃-Bi₂O₃composite nanorods with particle size ranging from 5 to 10 nm were formed through hydrogen gas annealing at an optimal annealing temperature of 350 °C. Compared with the pristine WO₃nanorod template, the Bi-WO₃-Bi₂O₃composite nanorods exhibited higher photoresponsive performance, substantial photogenerated charge transfer ability, and efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The study results indicated that the Bi-WO₃-Bi₂O₃composite nanorods had superior decontamination ability and excellent stability toward RhB dye as compared with pristine WO₃. Moreover, the photogenerated charge separation and migration efficiencies of the WO₃-Bi₂O₃nanorods could be tuned through appropriate reduction of the surface oxide layer; this is a promising approach to designing WO₃-Bi₂O₃nanorods with high photoactive performance.

A photoelectrochemical aptasensor for sensitively monitoring chloramphenicol using plasmon-driven AgNP/BiOCl composites

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor based on silver nanoparticle/BiOCl (AgNP/BiOCl) composites was constructed for detecting chloramphenicol (CAP). The surface-plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of AgNPs can focus the incident light and promote the migration and separation of the photogenerated carriers of AgNP/BiOCl composites. As a result, the AgNP/BiOCl composites showed an enhanced PEC performance compared to that of pure BiOCl. A PEC CAP aptasensor was fabricated using AgNP/BiOCl composites as photoactive materials and a CAP aptamer as a recognition element. The PEC aptasensor exhibited a broad linear response range (0.2 pM-10 nM), a low limit of determination (0.08 pM), satisfactory selectivity, stability, and reproducibility to meet the practical analysis requirements. This work demonstrates that the PEC CAP aptasensor has a promising prospect in environmental assays.

Co3O4 nanoparticles/graphitic carbon nitride heterojunction for photoelectrochemical aptasensor of oxytetracycline

As a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic, the overuse of oxytetracycline (OTC) causes antibiotics residues in the environment and seriously threats to human health owing to effective antibacterial properties. Thus, it is particularly important to design a photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor to detect OTC with excellent performance. Herein, we developed a selective and stable PEC aptasensor of OTC on the basis of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (Co₃O₄ NPs)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) heterojunction, used as PEC active materials. The Co₃O₄ NPs were successfully grown on the g-CN via grinding and calcining mixture of Co₃O₄ precursors and bulk g-CN. The Co₃O₄/g-CN heterojunction with improved light utilization and promoted electrons/holes separation capability can exhibit higher PEC signal than that of g-CN. In order to implement the purpose of specific recognition, OTC-aptamer was introduced into modified electrode to construct highly selective PEC aptasensor for OTC determination, which can possess wide linear range (0.01-500 nM) with low detection limit (3.5 pM, S/N = 3). This PEC aptasensor platform with excellent selectivity and high stability can provide a practical application in the field of water monitoring.