Mxene quantum dots bipolar electrochemiluminescent platform for hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2 detection

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Biosensing
• Nanomaterials

Background:

• Developing sensitive and specific biosensors is crucial for early disease detection.
• Diversified closed bipolar electrochemiluminescence (d-BPE-ECL) offers a promising platform for signal amplification.
• Niobium carbide MXene quantum dots (Nb2C MQDs) possess unique photothermal and photochemical properties suitable for biosensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel diversified closed bipolar electrochemiluminescent (d-BPE-ECL) biosensor.
• To leverage photothermal amplification using Nb2C MQDs for enhanced signal detection.
• To develop a sensitive detection method for hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a d-BPE-ECL device with separated recognition, cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and anodic ECL channels.
• Utilizing PDA@Nb2C MQDs as a photothermal material activated by near-infrared light for temperature-sensitive interface modulation.
• Employing a target-mediated rolling circle amplification strategy for signal amplification.
• Incorporating MoS2@Ni-Cu-P for enhanced electrocatalytic activity to promote HER and accelerate electron transfer.

Main Results:

• The proposed d-BPE-ECL biosensor demonstrated a highly sensitive detection of hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2.
• A wide linear detection range from 10^-4 to 10 ng/mL was achieved.
• A low limit of detection of 3.3 × 10^-5 ng/mL was obtained, indicating significant analytical performance.

Conclusions:

• The developed d-BPE-ECL biosensor effectively utilizes photothermal amplification and electrocatalysis for enhanced signal generation.
• This work provides a new strategy for multiple signal amplification in BPE-ECL systems.
• The biosensor shows potential for broadening the application of BPE-ECL in complex bioassays and diagnostics.