3D Semiconducting Polymer/Graphene Networks: Toward Sensitive Photocathodic Enzymatic Bioanalysis

This work reports the development of three-dimensional (3D) semiconducting polymer/graphene (SP/G) networks toward sensitive photocathodic enzymatic bioanalysis. Specifically, the porous 3D graphene was first synthesized via the hydrothermal and freeze-dry processes and then mixed with semiconducting polymer to obtain the designed hierarchical structure with unique porosity and large surface area. Afterward, the as-prepared hybrid was immobilized onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) for further characterizations. Exemplified by sarcosine oxidase (SOx) as a model biocatalyst, an innovative 3D SP/G-based photocathodic bioanalysis capable of sensitive and specific sarcosine detection was achieved. The suppression of cathodic photocurrent was observed in the as-developed photocathodic enzymatic biosystem due to the competition of oxygen consumption between the enzyme-biocatalyst process and O₂-dependent photocathodic electrode. This work not only presented a unique protocol for 3D SP/G-based photocathodic enzymatic bioanalysis but also provided a new horizon for the design, development, and utilization of numerous 3D platforms in the broad field of general photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis.