A label-free photoelectrochemical immunosensor for prostate specific antigen detection based on Ag2S sensitized Ag/AgBr/BiOBr heterojunction by in-situ growth method.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its early detection is vital to saving the lives of patients. In this research, a novel label-free photoelectrochemical immunosensor was designed for sensitive detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Ag2S sensitized on Ag/AgBr/BiOBr heterojunction could effectively inhibit photogenic holes recombination and improve photocurrent response and sensitivity. Ascorbic acid was an effective electron donor, which can effectively eliminate photo-generated holes. The photocurrent reduced linearly with the logarithm of PSA concentration ranged from 0.001 to 50 ng·mL-1 and the limit of detection was 0.25 pg·mL-1. The designed sensor had the advantages of wide linear range, good stability, high reproducibility, and good selectivity. This study not only provided a method for efficient and sensitive detection of PSA, but also provided valuable reference ideas for the detection of other tumor markers.