N- and B-Codoped Graphene: A Strong Candidate To Replace Natural Peroxidase in Sensitive and Selective Bioassays

ACS Nano. 2019 Apr 23;13(4):4312-4321. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b09519. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Abstract

The work describes a carbon-based peroxidase mimic, N- and B-codoped reduced graphene oxide (NB-rGO), which shows high peroxidase-like activity without oxidase-like activity and has a catalytic efficiency nearly 1000-fold higher than that of undoped rGO. The high catalytic activity of NB-rGO is explained by density functional theory by calculating Gibbs free energy change during the peroxide decomposition reaction. Acetylcholine and C-reactive protein are successfully quantified with high sensitivity and selectivity, which were comparable to or better than those obtained using natural peroxidase. Furthermore, NB-rGO, which does not have oxidase-like activity, is proven to have higher sensitivity toward acetylcholine than Pt nanoparticles having oxidase-like activity. This work will facilitate studies on development, theoretical analysis for rational design, and bioassay applications of enzyme mimics based on nanomaterials.

Keywords: biosensors; density functional theory; enzyme mimic; graphene; immunoassays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / analysis
  • Acetylcholine / blood*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Catalysis
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Peroxidase / chemistry*
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • graphene oxide
  • Graphite
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Peroxidase
  • Acetylcholine