Hemin-graphene oxide-gold nanoflower-assisted enhanced electrochemiluminescence immunosensor for determination of prostate-specific antigen

An ultrasensitive luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was constructed for the detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) using glucose oxidase–decorated hemin-graphene oxide-gold nanoflowers ternary nanocomposites as probes. Graphene oxide was first modified with hemin and then with gold nanoflowers through an in situ growth method, which has significantly boosted the catalytic activity of this graphene oxide–based peroxidase mimetics. The biocatalytical activity of this ECL immunosensor was thoroughly investigated to achieve selective recognition of the analyte molecules (PSA) by specific binding between antigens and antibodies. The limit of detection was calculated to be 0.32 pg mL −1 with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. A broad linear range from 7.5 × 10 −4 to 2.5 ng mL −1 was obtained. Such step-by-step assembled biosensor showed controlled nanostructure and exhibited promising application in analysis of human serum samples with a recovery range of 90.6–111.8% and a RSD range of 3.9–5.5%. Graphical abstract