Rational design of ZnIn2S4/CdIn2S4/CdS with hollow heterostructure for the sensitive determination of carbohydrate antigen 19-9

Complex hollow nanomaterials with multicomponent heterostructures hold significant application potential in photoelectrochemical fields. Herein, a novel hollow ternary-component ZnIn2S4/CdIn2S4/CdS heterostructure (ZIS/CIS/CdS-HHOC) was designed and synthesized via a succinct self-templated solvothermal method. The underlying mechanism of microstructure growth and enhanced electronic kinetics of ZIS/CIS/CdS-HHOC were specified. Moreover, the photoelectric conversion capacity of ZIS/CIS/CdS-HHOC was superior to that of the disordered ZIS/CIS/CdS heterojunction. As evidenced by experiments, the hollow structure of ZIS/CIS/CdS-HHOC can enhance light utilization, accelerate the transfer of charge carriers in heterojunction materials/electrolyte interfaces, and thus improve photoelectric conversion. Owing to the excellent photoelectric property of ZIS/CIS/CdS-HHOC, the fabricated label-free biosensor exhibited a high sensitivity for the carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) biomarker with a linear response range of 0.001-10 U.mL(-1) and an ultralow detection limit of 0.76 mU.mL(-1). This novel strategy of constructing multi-component nanomaterials with hollow heterostructures can be further applied to the design of other superior nanomaterials for use in photoelectrochemical fields.

Automated summary

In this study, a complex hollow nanomaterial with a multicomponent heterostructure was successfully designed and synthesized via a self-templated solvothermal method. The material exhibited superior photoelectric conversion capacity and enhanced electronic kinetics. The hollow structure of the material improved light utilization and accelerated charge carrier transfer, leading to improved photoelectric conversion efficiency. Additionally, the material was utilized in a label-free biosensor, demonstrating high sensitivity and an ultralow detection limit.