Long-Wavelength Illumination-Induced Photocurrent Enhancement of a ZnPc Photocathodic Material for Bioanalytical Applications

Anal Chem. 2023 Nov 14;95(45):16625-16630. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02971. Epub 2023 Oct 31.

Abstract

Herein, a novel photocathodic nanocomposite poly{4,8-bis[5-(2-ethylhexyl)-thiophen-2-yl] benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)-carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophene-4,6-diyl}/phthalocyanine zinc (PTB7-Th/ZnPc) with high photoelectric conversion efficiency under long-wavelength illumination was prepared to construct an ultrasensitive biosensor for the detection of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21), accompanied by a prominent anti-interference capability toward reductive substances. Impressively, the new heterojunction PTB7-Th/ZnPc nanocomposite could not only generate a strong cathodic photocurrent to improve the detection sensitivity under long-wavelength illumination (660 nm) but also effectively avoid the high damage of biological activity caused by short-wavelength light stimulation. Accordingly, by coupling with rolling circle amplification (RCA)-triggered DNA amplification to form functional biquencher nanospheres, a PEC biosensor was fabricated to realize the ultrasensitive analysis of miRNA-21 in the concentration range of 0.1 fM to 10 nM with a detection limit as low as 32 aM. This strategy provided a novel long-wavelength illumination-induced photocurrent enhancement photoactive material for a sensitive and low-damage anti-interference bioassay and early clinical disease diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Lighting
  • MicroRNAs* / analysis
  • Nanocomposites*

Substances

  • zinc(II) phthalocyanine trisulfonic acid
  • MicroRNAs