Mo2B2/In2S3 coupled with Y-shaped DNA amplification for photoelectrochemical nucleic acid assay

Mikrochim Acta. 2025 Jun 27;192(7):461. doi: 10.1007/s00604-025-07297-5.

Abstract

MBene is a 2D material stripped from a ternary transition metal boride (MAB). In recent years, attention has gradually shifted from the stripping of MBene to its application. Here, we prepared 2D Mo2B2 by treating HCl/H2O2 solution for MoAlB, and Mo2B2/In2S3 photoelectroactive material was fabricated by hydrothermal method to construct a photoelectrochemical (PEC) assay for dengue fever virus DNA (DENVD) detection. Hairpin DNA1 (H1) was linked to the electrode surface by the Au-S bond. In the presence of DENVD, it opened the end of H1 and introduced Fc-modified hairpin DNA2 (H2) and hairpin DNA3 (H3) onto the electrode surface. The Y-shaped DNA was formed by catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) reaction, and Fc enhances the PEC signal. Fc is oxidized to Fc+ to provide electrons for holes, reducing the combination of electrons and holes of Mo2B2/In2S3, and enhancing the PEC response. The PEC assay had a detection range of 1.0 aM-1.0 fM and provided a low detection limit of 0.5 aM. Moreover, it also has good specificity, reproducibility, and stability indicating its promising potential in clinical diagnosis. In addition, this study provides a new idea for the application of 2D MBene materials.

Keywords: Catalytic hairpin assembly; Dengue virus; MBene; Phototelechemistry; Y-shaped DNA.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • DNA, Viral* / analysis
  • DNA, Viral* / genetics
  • Dengue Virus / genetics
  • Electrochemical Techniques* / methods
  • Electrodes
  • Indium* / chemistry
  • Limit of Detection
  • Molybdenum* / chemistry
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques* / methods
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Sulfides* / chemistry

Substances

  • Molybdenum
  • DNA, Viral
  • Indium
  • Sulfides