Label free detection of lead using impedimetric sensor based on ordered mesoporous carbon-gold nanoparticles and DNAzyme catalytic beacons

Abstract

A novel label-free impedimetric sensing system based on DNAzyme and ordered mesoporous carbon-gold nanoparticle (OMC-GNPs) for the determination of Pb2+ concentration was developed in the present study. Firstly, gold nanoparticles deposited on the modified electrode surface were employed as a platform for the immobilization of thiolated probe DNA, and then hybridized with DNAzyme catalytic beacons. Subsequently, in the presence of Pb2+, the DNAzyme could be activated to cleave the substrate strand into two DNA fragments, which causes differences in the electrical properties of the film. Randles equivalent circuit was employed to evaluate the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) result. The charge transfer resistance (RCT) value for the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox indicator was remarkably decline after hybridization with Pb2+. The difference in RCT values before and after hybridization with Pb2+ showed a linear relation with the concentration of the Pb2+ in a range of 5×10-10-5×10-5 M, with a detection limit of 2×10-10 M (S/N=3). Furthermore, with the application of Pb2+ dependent 8-17DNAzyme, the proposed sensing system exhibited high selectivity without using any labeled probes. This biosensor demonstrated a promising potential for Pb2+ detection in real sample.