Development of an Electrodeposited Graphene Quantum Dot Electrode for the Electrochemical Detection of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Biomarker

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a potential cardiac biomarker whose levels fluctuate in response to cardiac diseases. In particular, the severity of cardiovascular disease can be associated with the level of CRP, emphasizing the necessity for a highly sensitive biosensor capable of detecting CRP at ultralow levels in a short period of time. In this study, we used a facile pyrolysis method to synthesize graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with a diameter of 2.2 nm. Then, to fabricate the Au/GQDs/anti-CRP electrode, GQDs were electrodeposited successfully on the surface of the bare Au electrode to provide a nano-interfaced matrix platform for effective anti-CRP immobilization. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the contact between anti-CRP and CRP in the Fe(CN)(6)(3-/4-) as a mediator. The recorded current signal from differential pulse voltammetry measurements shows that the associative interaction between the anti-CRP and CRP is efficiently induced. Furthermore, the Figureure of merits of the developed sensor, including the sensory response of <50 s with a high sensitivity of 58 mu A ng(-1) mL(-1) cm(-2) and a low detection capability of 0.104 ng mL(-1) (n=3), suggests that it is a potential candidate for point-of-care testing. And the fabricated Au/GQDs/anti-CRP biosensor were used to sense CRP in an artificial serum (ringer lactate) solution.

Automated summary

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a cardiac biomarker whose levels fluctuate in response to cardiac diseases. Researchers have successfully synthesized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using a pyrolysis method and used them to fabricate an electrode for detecting CRP. The developed sensor demonstrates fast response, high sensitivity, and low detection capability.