Electrochemical detection of homovanillic acid, a breast cancer biomarker, using Pluronic-modified MoS2 nanosheets

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides have gained considerable attention from the scientific community for their various applications thanks to their remarkable chemical, physical, optical and electronic properties. In this study, MoS2 nanosheets were synthesized using a kitchen blender with the assistance of a surfactant, Pluronic F-127, through a shear-exfoliation process. The chemical composition, nanostructure and electrochemical properties of the synthesized MoS2–F127 were characterized by different methods. A Pt electrode modified with MoS2–F127 (Pt/MoS2–F127) was used with differential pulse voltammetry for the electrochemical detection of homovanillic acid (HVA) – a breast-cancer biomarker, in the presence of common interferents in urine. This study provides a new approach to discriminate the electrochemical signals of HVA and uric acid, leading to higher selectivity of the sensor.