Phthalocyanine-sensitized graphene-CdS nanocomposites: an enhanced photoelectrochemical immunosensing platform

A novel strategy is developed for the fabrication of graphene-CdS (G-CdS) nanocomposites by in situ growth of CdS nanoparticles onto simultaneously reduced graphite oxide, which is noncovalently functionalized by sodium 1-pyrene sulfonate through strong π-π stacking interactions. Subsequently, cobalt 2,9,16,23-tetraaminophthalocyanine (CoTAPc) is self-assembled on the G-CdS nanocomposites through electrostatic interactions to produce phthalocyanine-sensitized G-CdS nanocomposites. The photoactive superstructure enhances the photocurrent generation capability, and presents an efficient photoelectrochemical immunosensing platform for the ultrasensitive detection of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The quantitative measurement of PSA is based on the decrease in the photocurrent intensity of the phthalocyanine-sensitized G-CdS nanocomposites, which results from an increase in the steric hindrance due to the formation of the immunocomplex. A linear relationship between the photocurrent decrease and the PSA concentration is obtained in the wide range from 1 pgmL(-1) to 5 μgmL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.63 pgmL(-1). The proposed sensor shows high sensitivity, stability, reproducibility, and can become a promising platform for other biomolecular detection.