Crystal-reconstructed BiVO4 semiconductor photoelectrochemical sensor for ultra-sensitive tumor biomarker detection

J Mater Chem B. 2022 Feb 9;10(6):870-879. doi: 10.1039/d1tb02576g.

Abstract

In this study, we developed a crystal-reconstructed-BiVO4 aptamer photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor by a high-energy laser treatment technique. This biosensor achieves a limit of detection (LOD) (0.82 ag mL-1), linear detection range (1 ag mL-1 to 2 ng mL-1), and resolution ratio (∼18 molecules per mL) for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tumor biomarker detection. Furthermore, reconstructed surface microstructure and oxygen vacancy doping energy formation after crystal reconstruction induce the stereo-hindrance effect and photogenerated hole energy is reduced during PSA target detection. In this case, a photocurrent inhibition phenomenon for PSA detection is noticed. Based on this photocurrent inversion phenomenon, some dysoxidizable nucleonic acid tumor (miRNA-21) and virus biomarkers (RdRp-COVID) can be detected with a LOD level of ∼10-16 M by linking the corresponding base paring probe on the surface of the crystal-reconstructed photoanode. In addition to high sensitivity, this PEC biosensor presents high detection specificity, stability, and accuracy in clinical verification. Thus, this crystal-reconstructed PEC biosensor shows application potential in the fields of multi-tumor or viral biomarker detection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • COVID-19*
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms*
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Semiconductors

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen