New immunoprobe: Dual-labeling ZIF-8 embellished with multifunctional bovine serum albumin lamella for electrochemical immunoassay of tumor marker

Abstract A new immunoprobe, which can initiate the sedimentation of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on an electrode surface, was developed for the electrochemical detection of carbohydrate antigen 72–4 (CA 72–4). To design the immunoprobe, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) were employed as the carrier to enrich thionine molecules, then bovine serum albumin (BSA) was modified on the electrode surface. Advantageously, BSA, served as an anchor to further attach the labeling antibodies (Ab2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to also be modified on the surface through covalent bonding. To construct the immunosensor, multiwalled carbon nanotube-graphene oxide composites were employed to provide active sites, and the electrodeposited Au NPs were used to immobilize coating antibodies. In the presence of CA 72–4, a sandwich immunosensor was established, and a cascade reaction was initiated to deposit Ag NPs under the catalysis, which can further improve the conductivity of electrode interface. Under the optimal conditions, the immunosensor displayed excellent performance with a wide linear range from 1 μU mL−1 to 10 U mL−1 and an ultralow detection limit of 0.438 μU mL−1 (S/N = 3).