Enhanced amperometric immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen using Pt-Cu hierarchical trigonal bipyramid nanoframes as a label

A dual enhancing strategy has been employed to develop a sandwich type of electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen (PSA). The signal is enhanced by using Pt-Cu hierarchical trigonal bipyramid nanoframes (HTBNFs) and a composite consisting of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide in polydopamine that serve to capture the primary antibody (Ab1). This nanocomposite shows better electrical conductivity than Fe3O4 and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), respectively, alone. The Pt-Cu HTBNFs were used to label the secondary antibody (Ab2) and act as tags for signal amplification by virtue of their outstanding electrochemical reduction activity towards H2O2. At a working potential of +0.1 V (vs. SCE), the interference by dissolved oxygen can be avoided. This immunoassay is highly sensitive, with a linear range that extends from 0.1 pg⋅mL−1 to 5 ng⋅mL−1 and an ultralow detection limit of 0.03 pg⋅mL−1.