Atomic layer deposition (ALD)-constructed TaS2 nanoflakes for cancer-related nucleolin detection

Abstract

Abstract Sensitive detection of nucleolin (NCL) is of great significance for the early diagnosis of cancer. In this work, as a new type of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), TaS2 nanoflakes (NFs) were precisely constructed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on carbon fiber paper (CFP) with high specific surface area. In situ observation showed that the nucleation and growth of TaS2 nanoflakes were precisely controlled by the number of ALD cycles, thereby regulating their electrochemical properties. The electrochemical performance of TaS2NFs was observed in depth, and compared with that of traditional 2D TMDCs. Due to the high surface area and conductivity, anodic/cathodic current of ∼1570 μA of TaS2NFs/CFP can be obtained. Subsequently, an electrochemical biosensor based on ALD-constructed TaS2NFs/CFP for cancer-related NCL detection was fabricated. Due to the excellent electrochemical performance of TaS2NFs/CFP, ultrasensitive detection of NCL in the linear range of 0.1 pM–10 nM with a detection limit of 0.034 pM was achieved.