Electrochemical Biosensing for Cancer Cells Based on TiO₂/CNT Nanocomposites Modified Electrodes

Abstract

Abstract Both TiO 2 nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes have been usually utilized to modify the electrodes to enhance the detection sensitivity of biomolecular recognition. In this research, novel TiO 2 /CNT nanocomposites have been prepared and doped on the carbon paper as the modified electrodes. Subsequently, the redox behavior of the ferricyanide probe and the surface properties of the cancer cells coated on the modified electrodes have been investigated by using electrochemical and contact angle measurements. Compared with electrochemical signals on bare carbon paper and nanocomposite modified substrates, the significantly enhanced electrochemical signals on the modified electrodes covered with cancer cells have been observed. Meanwhile, different leukemia cells (i.e., K562/ADM cells and K562/B.W. cells) could be also recognized because of their different electrochemical behavior and hydrophilic/hydrophobic features on the modified electrodes due to the specific components on the plasma membranes of the target cells. This new strategy may have potential application in the development of the biocompatible and multi‐signal responsive biosensors for the early diagnosis of cancers.