Highly sensitive hybridization assay using the electrochemiluminescence of an ITO electrode, CdTe quantum dots functionalized with hierarchical nanoporous PtFe nanoparticles, and magnetic graphene nanosheets

We report on a disposable microdevice suitable for sandwich-type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection of DNA. The method is making use of CdTe quantum dots functionalized with hierarchical nanoporous PtFe (CdTe@PtFe) nanoparticles and with magnetic graphene nanosheets. The latter were selected as carriers for the capture DNA due to their excellent biomagnetic separation capability and electrical properties. The CdTe@PtFe nanoparticles were used to label the signal DNA which resulted in distinctly enhanced ECL owing to the large specific surface area and good electrical conductivity of the PtFe alloy. A DNA sensor was constructed on a disk-shaped indium tin oxide electrode that was fabricated via etching. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor responds linearly to DNA in the 0.02 fM to 5000 fM concentration range, with a detection limit as low as 15 aM. The electrode is regenerable. The method displays excellent specificity, extremely good sensitivity, and is highly reproducible.