Label-Free Electrochemical Immunosensor Based on Gold and Iron-Oxide Nanoparticle Co-modified rGO-TEPA Hybrid for Sensitive Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

Herein we report a label-free amperometric immunosensor based on reduced graphene oxide-tetraethylene pentamine (rGO-TEPA) hybrid material co-modified by gold and iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Au/MNPs-rGO-TEPA) for detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The Au/MNPs-rGO-TEPA nanomaterials were prepared and coated on the working electrode as a sensing platform for antibody (anti-CEA) immobilization and signal amplification. This nanomaterial exhibited some excellent functionalities, such as magnetic and enhanced electrical properties due to its large specific surface area and favorable conductivity. Thionine (Thi) molecule was attached onto rGO-TEPA via pi-pi stacking and was used as an electrochemically active substance. The immunosensor was developed based on the increase in quantity of CEA captured, proportional to the decrease in peak currents of Thi. Under optimal conditions, the Au/MNPs-rGO-TEPA/Thi-based immunosensor showed impressive linear range from 0.1 pg/mL to 150 ng/mL. In addition, the proposed method had excellent linearity, high sensitivity, and relatively good stability, thereby offering a good platform for early clinical analysis.