A nanoDiamond/gold nanoparticle-based electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of HER 2 cancer biomarker

Abstract

We report a highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor based on a nanohybrid platform for the detection of the breast cancer biomarker human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2). NanoDiamond (nanoD) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) immobilised by drop coating and electrodeposition methods, respectively, were employed to fabricate an immunosensor for HER 2 detections on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were used to characterise each step of the modification process of the immunosensor. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques were used to characterise the materials used to fabricate the modified electrode. Under optimal conditions of temperature, time, and pH (35 °C, 50 min, and pH 7.2), different concentrations were investigated within a wide range of 1 pg mL −1 to 50 ng mL −1 using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). With a low detection limit of 0.29 pg mL −1 from the DPV analysis, the immunosensor showed very good sensitivity and had a high specificity for HER 2. Additionally, the immunosensor demonstrated good applicability in the analysis of HER 2 in human serum samples, demonstrating a potential for use in the early identification of breast cancer. • A highly sensitive nanoD/AuNPs - based nanohybrid platform was developed. • HER 2 cancer biomarker was detected on a nanoD/AuNPs immunosensor platform. • HER 2 was detected at pg mL −1 using the DPV technique with good repeatability. • The immunosensor gave good recovery when it was examined in the human serum.