PEDOT-AuNPs-based impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are useful techniques for fast, inexpensive, sensitive, and easy detection of innumerous specimen. In face of COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident the necessity of a rapid and accurate diagnostic test, so the impedimetric immunosensor approach can be a good alternative to replace the conventional tests due to the specific antibody-antigen binding interaction and the fast response in comparison to traditional methods. In this work, a modified electrode with electrosynthesized PEDOT and gold nanoparticles followed by the immobilization of truncated nucleoprotein (N aa160-406aa) was used for a fast and reliable detection of antibodies against COVID-19 in human serum sample. The method consists in analyzing the charge-transfer resistance (R_CT) variation before and after the modified electrode comes into contact with the positive and negative serum sample for COVID-19, using [Fe(CN)₆]^3-/4- as a probe. The results show a linear and selective response for serum samples diluted in a range of 2.5 × 10³ to 20 × 10³. Also, the electrode material was fully characterized by Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS, indicating that the gold nanoparticles were well distributed around the polymer matrix and the presence of the biological sample was confirmed by EDS analysis. EIS measurements allowed to differentiate the negative and positive samples by the difference in the R_CT magnitude, proving that the material developed here has potential properties to be applied in impedimetric immunosensors for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in about 30 min.

Electrochemical behavior of polypyrrol/AuNP composites deposited by different electrochemical methods: sensing properties towards catechol

Two different methods were used to obtain polypyrrole/AuNP (Ppy/AuNP) composites. One through the electrooxidation of the pyrrole monomer in the presence of colloidal gold nanoparticles, referred to as trapping method (T), and the second one by electrodeposition of both components from one solution containing the monomer and a gold salt, referred to as cogeneration method (C). In both cases, electrodeposition was carried out through galvanostatic and potentiostatic methods and using platinum (Pt) or stainless steel (SS) as substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that in all cases gold nanoparticles of similar size were uniformly dispersed in the Ppy matrix. The amount of AuNPs incorporated in the Ppy films was higher when electropolymerization was carried out by chronopotentiometry (CP). Besides, cogeneration method allowed for the incorporation of a higher number of AuNPs than trapping. Impedance experiments demonstrated that the insertion of AuNPs increased the conductivity. As an electrochemical sensor, the Ppy/AuNp deposited on platinum exhibited a strong electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of catechol. The effect was higher in films obtained by CP than in films obtained by chronoamperometry (CA). The influence of the method used to introduce the AuNPs (trapping or cogeneration) was not so important. The limits of detection (LOD) were in the range from 10(-5) to 10(-6) mol/L. LODs attained using films deposited on platinum were lower due to a synergy between AuNPs and platinum that facilitates the electron transfer, improving the electrocatalytic properties. Such synergistic effects are not so pronounced on stainless steel, but acceptable LOD are attained with lower price sensors.