Silver ions (Ag+) are crucial in various fields, but pose environmental and health risks at high concentrations. This study presents a straightforward approach for the ultra-trace detection of Ag+, utilizing a composite of a cytosine-rich oligonucleotide (CRO) and an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO). Initially, ERGO was synthesized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) through the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) via cyclic voltammetry. A methylene blue-tagged CRO (MB-CRO) was then anchored to the ERGO surface through π-π interactions, resulting in the formation of an MB-CRO-modified ERGO electrode (MB-CRO/ERGO-GCE). The interaction with Ag+ ions induced the formation of silver-mediated C-Ag+-C coordination, prompting the MB-CRO to adopt a hairpin structure. This conformational change led to the desorption of the MB-CRO from the ERGO-GCE, causing a variation in the redox current of the methylene blue associated with the MB-CRO. Electrochemical assays revealed that the sensor exhibits extraordinary sensitivity to Ag+ ions, with a linear detection range from 1 femtomolar (fM) to 100 nanomolars (nM) and a detection limit of 0.83 fM. Moreover, the sensor demonstrated high selectivity for Ag+ ions and several other benefits, including stability, reproducibility, and straightforward fabrication and operational procedures. Additionally, real sample analyses were performed using the modified electrode to detect Ag+ in tap and pond water samples, yielding satisfactory recovery rates.
Keywords: DNA hairpin; electrochemical aptasensor; reduced graphene oxide; silver ion.