Small-Molecule Probe-Induced In Situ-Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Biosensor for Monitoring α-Glucosidase Activity

• DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c01269
• Publication Date: 2023-08-11T20:03:16Z
• Authors: Ying Qin; Jingyi Zhang; Rong Tan; Zhichao Wu; Mingwang Liu; Jinli Li; Miao Xu; Wenling Gu; Chengzhou Zhu; Liuyong Hu
• Keywords: Hydroquinone; Graphitic carbon nitride

Semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors have garnered significant attention in the field of disease diagnosis and treatment. However, recognition units these are mainly limited to bioactive macromolecules, which hinder photoelectric response due their insulating characteristics. In this study, we develop an situ-sensitized strategy that utilizes a small-molecule probe at interface photoelectrode accurately detect α-glucosidase (α-Glu) activity. Silane, prototype probe, was surface-modified on graphitic carbon nitride generate Si nanoparticles upon reacting with hydroquinone, enzymatic product α-Glu. The situ formed heterojunction enhances light-harvesting property photoexcited carrier separation efficiency. As result, PEC biosensor demonstrates excellent accuracy, low detection limit, outstanding anti-interference ability, showing good applicability evaluating α-Glu activity its inhibitors human serum samples. This novel sensitization approach using probes opens up new avenues for developing simple efficient biosensing platforms by replacing conventional biorecognition elements.