Functionalization of a Few-Layer Antimonene with Oligonucleotides for DNA Sensing

Antimonene, a novel group 15 two-dimensional material, is functionalized with an oligonucleotide as a first step to DNA sensor development. The functionalization process leads to a few-layer antimonene modified with DNA that after deposition on gold screen-printed electrodes gives a simple and efficient DNA electrochemical sensing platform. We provide theoretical and experimental data of the DNA-antimonene interaction, confirming that oligonucleotides interact noncovalently but strongly with antimonene. The potential utility of this antimonene-based sensing device is assessed using, as a case of study, a sequence from the BRCA1 gene as the target DNA. The selectivity of the device allows not only recognition of a specific DNA sequence but also detection of a mutation in this gene associated with breast cancer, directly in clinical samples.