Synergistic effect of photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on staggered gap ZnO/BiFeO3 heterojunction coupled with cDNA-CdS sensitizer enabling ultrasensitive assay of kanamycin

Abstract

Using staggered-gap ZnO/BiFeO3 heterojunction as photoactive materials and cDNA-CdS as the sensitizer for sensitive Kanamycin (KAN) detection, we have created a unique signal-off biosensing platform. The ZnO/BiFeO3 heterojunction provides active sites for aptamer loading and enhances photocurrent responsiveness. Rapid interfacial charge transfer and the separation efficiency of photo-generated carriers are enhanced by sensitization of the ternary heterojunction ZnO/BiFeO3/CdS. Signal-amplified quenching occurs when sensitizers are replaced with sterically hindered KAN. Because of the aptamer's greater affinity for KAN, the replacement of CdS causes a decrease in photocurrent response. Additionally, the weakly conductive aptamer-KAN complex causes steric hindrance, which exacerbates the photoelectrochemical signal-damping effect even more. The photoelectrochemical aptasensor exhibits excellent selectivity and stability, detecting KAN within the range of 0.00005825–0.233 μg/mL with a detection limit of 0.0466 ng/mL (S/N = 3). This work demonstrates the potential of perovskite oxides and their heterostructures for advanced photoelectrochemical biosensing applications.