Conductive three-dimensional ordered nano-gold film: Ultrasensitive electrochemical sensing platform for clinical immunoassay

A simple, reusable and ultrasensitive electrochemical clinic immunoassay is proposed via developing a versatile CTDONG (conductive three-dimensional ordered nano-gold) film-modified gold electrode, in which ferrocene derivative and human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) are used as signaling probe and model molecule, respectively. A signal-on signaling mechanism is achieved by utilizing a sandwich format of the primary antibody/hIgG/the secondary antibody labeled with Ferrocene (PAb/Ag/SAb). Owing to the combination of the advantages of CTDONG film with the versatility of ferrocene derivatives, a substantially enhanced signal accompanied by a low background peak current is achieved. By this sensing scheme, target molecule can be readily quantified in a comparatively wide dynamic range (8.1 × 10⁻¹³-6.2 × 10⁻¹⁰ M) with a relatively low detection limit (2.7 × 10⁻¹³ M). In addition to a greatly improved signal gain, this immunosensor gives a favourable reusability and good reproducibility. Moreover, the CTDONG film-based sensing interface shows excellent anti-interference ability to the coexistent proteins. Meanwhile, the recovery test and determination of target molecule in real samples have confirmed the feasibility of designed sensing system for clinic immunoassay of protein molecules, demonstrating the potential application of described CTDONG film in the development of biomolecule assay platforms.