Atomic layer deposition (ALD)-constructed TaS2nanoflakes for cancer-related nucleolin detection

Abstract

Sensitive detection of nucleolin (NCL) is of great significance for the early diagnosis of cancer. In this work, as a new type of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), TaS₂nanoflakes (NFs) were precisely constructed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on carbon fiber paper (CFP) with high specific surface area.In situobservation showed that the nucleation and growth of TaS₂nanoflakes were precisely controlled by the number of ALD cycles, thereby regulating their electrochemical properties. The electrochemical performance of TaS₂NFs was observed in depth, and compared with that of traditional 2D TMDCs. Due to the high surface area and conductivity, anodic/cathodic current of ∼1570μA of TaS₂NFs/CFP can be obtained. Subsequently, an electrochemical biosensor based on ALD-constructed TaS₂NFs/CFP for cancer-related NCL detection was fabricated. Due to the excellent electrochemical performance of TaS₂NFs/CFP, ultrasensitive detection of NCL in the linear range of 0.1 pM-10 nM with a detection limit of 0.034 pM was achieved.

Keywords: TaS2; atomic layer deposition; biosensor; nucleolin; transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs).