TiO2 nanotubes/reduced GO nanoparticles for sensitive detection of breast cancer cells and photothermal performance

In this study, we developed a simple and cost effective aptasensor based on TiO2 nanotubes-reduced graphene oxide (TiO2 nanotube-rGO) linked to MUC1 aptamers for ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of breast cancer cell (MCF-7). Moreover, the photothermal performance of nanohybrid TiO2-rGO was investigated for cancer treatment. In this regard, after synthesize of TiO2 nanotubes via anodization process, TiO2 nanotubes-rGO hybrid was synthesized by UV assisted reduction of GO and subsequent TiO2 nanotubes attachment to rGO sheets. The resultant hybrid could provide an excellent large surface area leading to improvement of suitable sites for MUC1 aptamer immobilization. Our results revealed that TiO2-rGO aptasensor exhibited superior analytical performance for MCF-7 cell detection with the detection limit of 40 cells.ml(-1) within the detection range of 10(3)-10(7) cells. ml(-1). In addition, the designed aptasensor was effectively applied to detect MUC1 marker in a real sample. Moreover, the TiO2 nanotube-rGO hybrid nanoparticles revealed great photothermal performance exposed to NIR laser. It could be concluded that nanohybrid TiO2-rGO would be a useful and beneficial platform for detection and treatment of breast cancer.