Solvothermal synthesis of luminescence molybdenum disulfide QDs and the ECL biosensing application

Two-dimensional transition metal-derived QDs possessed the advantage of high electronic conduction rate, good biocompatibility and high electrochemical activity. However, the low luminescence efficiency of these two-dimensional transition metal-derived QDs limited the applications. Herein, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) QDs were synthesized by the solvothermal method with the microwave assisted strategy. The new synthesis method provided the supercritical conditions and improved the reaction activity of the solvents. The properties of substances in solvents were greatly changed, which was conducive to the preparation of MoS(2 )QDs. As a result, the luminescence efficiency of MoS(2 )QDs was largely improved in the mixed solvent of ethanol and water. Furthermore, the MoS2 QDs-based electro chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was constructed to detect breast cancer marker BRCA1. To improve the sensing performance, dopamine was polymerized under alkaline conditions on the electrode to prepare polydopamine (PDA) film. The capture DNA has been bound on the bio-mimic PDA film. With the specific recognition of BRCA1, MoS2 QD-labeled probe DNA can be linked on the electrode, which further generated bright ECL signals. The analytical performance indicated the MoS2 QDs-based biosensor possessed great potential for clinical analysis.

Automated summary

In this study, MoS2 quantum dots were synthesized by solvothermal method under supercritical conditions, which improved their luminescence efficiency in the mixed solvent of ethanol and water. Furthermore, MoS2 quantum dots were successfully applied in an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for the detection of breast cancer marker BRCA1, demonstrating great potential for clinical analysis.