Core-shell iron oxide-layered double hydroxide: High electrochemical sensing performance of H2O2 biomarker in live cancer cells with plasma therapeutics

Abstract

In this work, we develop a new type of multifunctional core-shell nanomaterial by controllable integration of CuAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) over the surface of iron oxides (Fe3O4) nanospheres (NSs) to fabricate (Fe3O4@CuAl NSs) hybrid material with interior tunability of LDH phase and explore its practical application in ultrasensitive detection of emerging biomarker, i.e., H2O2 as cancer diagnostic probe. In addition, atmospheric pressure plasmas (APPs) have also been used as potential therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. Due to the synergistic combination of p-type semiconductive channels of LDHs with multi-functional properties, unique morphology and abundant surface active sites, the Fe3O4@CuAl NSs modified electrode exhibited attractive electrocatalytic activity towards H2O2 reduction. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed biosensor demonstrated striking electrochemical sensing performances to H2O2 including linear range as broad as 8 orders of magnitude, low real detection limit of 1nM (S/N = 3), high sensitivity, good reproducibility and long-term stability. Arising from the superb efficiency, the electrochemical biosensor has been used for in vitro determination of H2O2 concentrations in human urine and serum samples prior to and following the intake of coffee, and real-time monitoring of H2O2 efflux from different cancer cell lines in normal state and after plasma treatment. We believe that this novel nano-platform of structurally integrated core-shell nanohybrid materials combined with APPs will enhance diagnostic as well as therapeutic window for cancer diseases.