Multi-labeled functionalized C₆₀ nanohybrid as tracing tag for ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensing

This work reports a new supramolecular method for the synthesis of the amino and thiol groups functionalized C₆₀ nanoparticles (FC60NPs) with the large surface active sites and good water solubility. First, Prussian blue carried gold nanoparticles were decorated onto the surface of the obtained FC₆₀NPs (abbreviated as Au@PB/FC₆₀). Subsequently, the Au@PB/FC₆₀ was labeled by detection aptamers and alkaline phosphatase to act as tracer. On the other hand, onion-like mesoporous graphene sheets and gold nanoparticles were utilized as the biosensor platform to immobilize a large amount of capture aptamers, owing to theirs porous structure and high surface-to-volume ratio. Based on the sandwich format, a dual signal amplification strategy based on multi-labeled functionalized C₆₀ nanohybrid as tracing tag has been successfully developed for platelet-derived growth factor B-chain electrochemical detection with a wide linear response in the range of 0.002-40 nM and a limit of detection of 0.6 pM (S/N=3). The proposed aptasensor demonstrated good specificity and high sensitivity, implying potential applications in bioanalysis and biomedicine.