Wei-Wei Zhao

Gold nanoparticle enhanced electrochemiluminescence of CdS thin films for ultrasensitive thrombin detection.

Interactions between surface plasmons (SP) of metallic surfaces and photoluminescence (PL) of semiconductor nanocrystal (S-NC) surfaces have been extensively investigated, and SP-induced PL enhancement has been used as a sensitive analytical technique. However, this SP induced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) enhancement is rarely studied. In this work, we report greatly enhanced ECL of CdS thin films by gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for ultrasensitive detection of thrombin. The system was composed of a CdS NC film on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as ECL emitter attached an aptamer of thrombin. Then, ssDNA-AuNP conjugates hybridized with the aptamer to form a separation length of ca. 12 nm between CdS NCs and Au NPs. The system showed 5-fold enhancement of ECL intensity as compared to that without Au NPs, which might be attributed to the long-distance interaction between the S-NCs and SPR field of noble metal nanoparticles (MNPs).We also found that the enhanced ECL could be influenced by the involving factors such as the separation distance, spectral overlap, and magnetic field. Such enhancement in combination with smart recognition of aptamer and target protein allowed us to construct an ultrasensitive aptasensor for attomolar detection of thrombin. The presence of target protein was reflected by the ECL signal decrease caused by the target-induced removal of ssDNA-AuNP conjugates. The decrease of ECL signal was logarithmically linear with the concentration of thrombin in a wide range from 100 aM to 100 fM. The principle described in this work could be also applied to many other bioassays.

Highly Sensitive Photoelectrochemical Immunoassay with Enhanced Amplification Using Horseradish Peroxidase Induced Biocatalytic Precipitation on a CdS Quantum Dots Multilayer Electrode

Herein we demonstrate the protocol of a biocatalytic precipitation (BCP)-based sandwich photoelectrochemical (PEC) horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-linked immunoassay on the basis of their synergy effect for the ultrasensitive detection of mouse IgG (antigen, Ag) as a model protein. The hybrid film consisting of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and CdS quantum dots (QDs) is developed by the classic layer by layer (LbL) method and then employed as the photoactive antibody (Ab) immobilization matrix for the subsequent sandwich-type Ab-Ag affinity interactions. Improved sensitivity is achieved through using the bioconjugates of HRP-secondary antibodies (Ab(2)). In addition to the much enhanced steric hindrance compared with the original one, the presence of HRP would further stimulate the BCP onto the electrode surface for signal amplification, concomitant to a competitive nonproductive absorption that lowers the photocurrent intensity. As a result of the multisignal amplification in this HRP catalyzed BCP-based PEC immunoassay, it possesses excellent analytical performance. The antigen could be detected from 0.5 pg/mL to 5.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.5 pg/mL.

In situ enzymatic ascorbic acid production as electron donor for CdS quantum dots equipped TiO2 nanotubes: a general and efficient approach for new photoelectrochemical immunoassay.

In this work, a novel photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoanalysis format was developed for sensitive and specific detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) based on an in situ electron donor producing approach. Thioglycolic acid-capped CdS quantum dots (QDs) equipped TiO(2) nanotubes (NTs) were fabricated via a facile electrostatic adsorption method. The coupling of CdS QDs and TiO(2) NTs results in an enhanced excitation and photo-to-electric conversion efficiency. Using alkaline phosphatase catalytic chemistry to in situ generate ascorbic acid for electron donating, an exquisite immunosandwich protocol was successfully constructed for the PSA assay due to the dependence of the photocurrent signal on the concentration of electron donor. This work opens a different perspective for transducer design in PEC detection and provides a general format for future development of PEC immunoanalysis.

Exciton-Plasmon Interactions between CdS Quantum Dots and Ag Nanoparticles in Photoelectrochemical System and Its Biosensing Application

With DNA as a rigid spacer, Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were bridged to CdS quantum dots (QDs) for the stimulation of exciton-plasmon interactions (EPI) in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) system. Due to their natural absorption overlap, the exciton of the QDs and the plasmon of Ag NPs could be induced simultaneously. The EPI resonant nature enabled manipulating photoresponse of the QDs via tuning interparticle distances. Specifically, the photocurrent of the QDs could be greatly attenuated and even be completely damped by the generated EPI. The work opens a different horizon for EPI investigation through an engineered PEC nanosystem, and provides a viable mechanism for new DNA sensing protocol.

Quantum Dots: Electrochemiluminescent and Photoelectrochemical Bioanalysis

In this Feature, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties and mechanisms of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are reviewed, with emphasis on their specific fundamentals and concise comparison on their similarities and differences. With recent illustrative examples of bioanalytical applications, the main signaling strategies for QDs-based ECL and PEC bioanalysis are then highlighted. The future prospects in this field are also discussed.

Using G-Quadruplex/Hemin To “Switch-On” the Cathodic Photocurrent of p-Type PbS Quantum Dots: Toward a Versatile Platform for Photoelectrochemical Aptasensing

We present a novel photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing platform by taking advantage of the phenomenon that hemin intercalated in G-quadruplex switched-on the cathode photocurrent of p-type PbS quantum dots (QDs). Photoinduced electron transfer between PbS QDs and G-quadruplex/hemin(III) complexes with the subsequent catalytic oxygen reduction by the reduced G-quadruplex/hemin(II) led to an obvious enhancement in the cathodic photocurrent of the PbS QDs. For the detection process, in the presence of hemin, the specific recognition of the targets with the sensing sequence would trigger the formation of a stable G-quadruplex/hemin complex, which will result in reduced charge recombination and hence amplified photocurrent intensity of the PbS QDs. By using different target sequences, the developed system made possible a novel, label-free switch-on PEC aptasensor toward versatile biomolecular targets such as DNA and thrombin. Especially, with ambient oxygen to regenerate G-quadruplex/hemin(II) to G-quadruplex/hemin(III), this substrate-free strategy not only promoted the photoelectric effect and thus the enhanced sensitivity of the system, but also avoided the addition of supplementary substrates of G-quadruplex/hemin such as H2O2 and organic substances.

Acetylcholine esterase antibodies on BiOI nanoflakes/TiO2 nanoparticles electrode: a case of application for general photoelectrochemical enzymatic analysis.

To date, almost all the established photoelectrochemical (PEC) enzymatic biosensors require the surface-confinement procedure to immobilize enzyme as biorecogniton element for probing various analytes of interest. This Letter develops a novel example without such necessity. Specifically, we first prepared a BiOI nanoflakes (NFs)/TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) p-n heterojunction as the photoelectrode, on the basis of which acetylcholine esterase (AChE) antibody was introduced via the bridging of protein A. In such a system, enzyme could keep its optimal state in the solution if in the absence of inhibitor; otherwise, the degree of enzyme inhibition would correlate closely with the concentration of inhibitor. After immunoreaction between AChE and its antibody, the inhibitor concentration could then be determined by the biocatalytic reaction-controlled PEC response. Integrated with other enzyme-based biosystems, this simple configuration could serve as a general method for assaying enzyme inhibition or activities.

A General Strategy for Photoelectrochemical Immunoassay Using an Enzyme Label Combined with a CdS Quantum Dot/TiO2 Nanoparticle Composite Electrode

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay has received increasing attention owing to its good analytical performance and attractive potential for future protein assay. This Letter represents a novel and general strategy for elegant PEC immunoassay of the important cardiac marker troponin T (cTnT) at neutral conditions. Specifically, we first developed an efficient CdS quantum dots (QDs)/TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) photoelectrode, on the basis of which an exquisite β-galactosidase (β-Gal) catalytic system was integrated with sandwich immunobinding for probing cTnT. In pH 7.4, β-Gal could catalyze the conversion of p-aminophenyl galactopyranoside (PAPG) to p-aminophenol (PAP), which could be easily photo-oxidized to p-quinone imine (PQI). Because the resulting photocurrent was directly related with the target concentration, an innovative PEC immunoassay could be realized for cTnT detection. The neutral operating condition of this protocol would greatly contribute to its wide applicability for protein assay. This work provides the first PEC immunoassay toward cardiac marker and, more significantly, opens a different perspective for future PEC immunoassay development through a general sensing protocol.

In Situ Modification of a Semiconductor Surface by an Enzymatic Process: A General Strategy for Photoelectrochemical Bioanalysis

Usually, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis necessitates ready photoactive materials as signal sources to convert the specific biological events into electrical signals. Herein, the first PEC bioanalysis without the necessity of ready visible-light-active species was demonstrated. We use an enzyme catalytic process to couple with the unique surface chemistry of semiconductive nanocrystalline, whereby its electronic properties could be modified spontaneously during the enzymatic reaction. Specifically, the enzymatic hydrolysis of ascorbic acid 2-phosphate by alkaline phosphatase is allowed to interact on the TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) matrix. PEC tests reveal that the self-coordination of the biocatalyzed enediol-ligands onto the undercoordinated surface defect sites would in situ form a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (CT) complex, endowing the inert semiconductor with strong absorption bands in the visible region, and hence underlying a novel and general PEC bioanalysis strategy.

DNA Labeling Generates a Unique Amplification Probe for Sensitive Photoelectrochemical Immunoassay of HIV-1 p24 Antigen

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay is an attractive methodology as it allows for an elegant and sensitive protein assay. However, advanced PEC immunoassay remains challenging and the established amplifications rely almost exclusively on the labeling of various enzymes, which usually suffer the inferior stabilities. Here we report the development and validation of the DNA labeling that leads to a unique amplification probe for the sensitive PEC immunoassay of HIV-1 capsid protein, p24 antigen, an important biomarker of human immune deficiency virus (HIV). Following the sandwich immunobinding, the DNA tags could be released and the subsequent dipurinization of the oligonucleotide strands enables the easy oxidation of free nucleobases at a CdTe quantum dots (QDs) modified ITO transducer. Such DNA tags induced PEC amplification and readout permits the exquisite assay of HIV-1 p24 antigen with high sensitivity. As compared to the existing method of enzymatic labeling, the easy preparation and stability of these labels make them very suitable for PEC amplification. Another merit of this method is that it separates the immunobinding from the PEC transducer, which eliminates the commonly existing affection during the biorecognition processes. This work paves a new route for the PEC immunoassay of HIV-1 p24 antigen and provides a general format for the PEC biomolecular detection by means of the DNA labeling.