Synergistic integration of Ni-metal organic framework/SnS2 nanocomposite and nickel foam electrode for ultrasensitive and selective electrochemical detection of albumin in simulated human blood serum

Abstract

Albumin is a vital blood protein responsible for transporting metabolites and drugs throughout the body and serves as a potential biomarker for various medical conditions, including inflammatory, cardiovascular, and renal issues. This report details the fabrication of Ni-metal organic framework/SnS2 nanocomposite modified nickel foam electrochemical sensor for highly sensitive and selective non enzymatic detection of albumin in simulated human blood serum samples. Ni-metal organic framework/SnS2 nanocomposite was synthesized using solvothermal technique by combining Ni-metal–organic framework (MOF) with conductive SnS2 leading to the formation of a highly porous material with reduced toxicity and excellent electrical conductivity. Detailed surface morphology and chemical bonding of the Ni-MOF/SnS2 nanocomposite was studied using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infra-red, and Raman analysis. The Ni-MOF/SnS2 nanocomposite coated on Ni foam electrode demonstrated outstanding electrochemical performance, with a low limit of detection (0.44 μM) and high sensitivity (1.3 μA/pM/cm2) throughout a broad linear range (100 pM–10 mM). The remarkable sensor performance is achieved through the synthesis of a Ni-MOF/SnS2 nanocomposite, enhancing electrocatalytic activity for efficient albumin redox reactions. The enhanced performance can be attributed due to the structural porosity of nickel foam and Ni-metal organic framework, which favours increased surface area for albumin interaction. The presence of SnS2 shows stability in acidic and neutral solutions due to high surface to volume ratio which in turn improves sensitivity of the sensing material. The sensor exhibited commendable selectivity, maintaining its performance even when exposed to potential interfering substances like glucose, ascorbic acid, K+, Na+, uric acid, and urea. The sensor effectively demonstrates its accuracy in detecting albumin in real samples, showcasing substantial recovery percentages of 105.1%, 110.28%, and 91.16%.