Functionalized MoS2: circular economy SERS substrate for label-free detection of bilirubin in clinical diagnosis

A one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of Fe-doped MoS2 nanoflowers (Fe-MoS2 NFs) has been developed as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. The Fe-MoS2 NFs display high reproducibility, stability, and recyclability, which is beneficial for the development of the sustainable ecological environment. The SERS substrate provides a high enhancement factor of 10(5), which can be ascribed to the inducing defects by doping Fe that can improve the charge transfer between probe molecules and MoS2. The Fe-MoS2 NFs have been used to detect bilirubin in serum. The Fe-MoS2 NF SERS substrate exhibits a linear detection range from 10(-3) to 10(-9) M with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 10(-8) M. The substrate displays an excellent selectivity to bilirubin in the presence of other potentially interfering molecules (dextrose and phosphate). These results provide a novel concept to synthesize ultra-sensitive SERS substrates and open up a wide range of possibilities for new applications of MoS2 in clinical diagnosis.

Automated summary

A one-pot hydrothermal synthesis method was developed to prepare Fe-doped MoS2 nanoflowers (Fe-MoS2 NFs) as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. The Fe-MoS2 NFs demonstrate high reproducibility, stability, and recyclability, which are advantageous for the development of a sustainable ecological environment. The SERS substrate offers a high enhancement factor of 10(5), attributed to the inducing defects through Fe doping that enhance charge transfer between probe molecules and MoS2. Fe-MoS2 NFs have been utilized for bilirubin detection in serum, showing a linear detection range from 10(-3) to 10(-9) M with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 10(-8) M. The substrate exhibits excellent selectivity for bilirubin in the presence of other potential interfering molecules (dextrose and phosphate), indicating potential applications of MoS2 in clinical diagnosis.