Advanced Dual-Mode Microfluidic Sensing Platform Based on Amphiphilic Polymer-Capped Perovskite Nanozymes Induced Photoelectrochemical Signal Amplification and Fluorescence Emission

Abstract

A novel dual-mode microfluidic sensing platform integrating photoelectrochemical (PEC) and fluorescence (FL) sensors was developed for the sensitive monitoring of heart fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP). First, BiVO₄/AgInS₂ (BVAIS) composites with excellent photoelectric activity were synthesized as sensing matrices. The BVAIS heterojunction with a well-matched internal energy level structure provided a stable photocurrent. Second, an innovative signal amplification strategy based on octylamine-modified poly(acrylic acid) (OPA)-capped CsPbBr₃ (OPCB) nanocrystals (NCs) with excellent catalytic activity and fluorescence property was proposed. On the OPCB nanozyme possessing ascorbate oxidase-like catalytic activity could catalyze the oxidation of ascorbic acid, which achieved quenching of the photocurrent signals by competitively consuming the electron donor. On the other hand, the OPCB NCs that overcame the water stability defect processed good luminescence performance and were able to produce obvious FL signals. Mutually verified dual-response signals effectively enhance the precision of test outcomes and avoid false-positive or false-negative results. Finally, the constructed microfluidic sensing platform realized sensitive detection of h-FABP in the linear range of 0.0001–150 ng/mL (PEC mode) and 0.001–150 ng/mL (FL mode), with detection limits of 36 fg/mL and 0.32 pg/mL, respectively. The present work provided a new perspective for designing an efficient dual-mode sensing strategy to achieve sensitive detection of disease markers.