Detection of HPV-16 L1 antigen using MoS2 nanosheets and amine-functionalized copper doped carbon dots

• An label free electrochemical immunosensor was developed for HPV-16L1 using MoS 2 /f-CuCD. • MoS 2 and f-CuCD were synthesized using hydrothermal method. • MoS 2 nanosheet shows increased electrocatalytic activity and f-CuCD helps in immobilising antibody. • The immunosensor shows limit of detection of 8.30 pg/µL. • Application was extended to human serum samples. HPV-16L1 is one of the important biomarkers for chronic cervical cancer. The present work deals with the development of a label-free electrochemical immunosensor by modification of electrode surface using 2D MoS 2 nanosheets and amine functionalized copper doped carbon dots (f-CuCD). The copper doped carbon dot with high surface area 2D material like MoS 2 provides a stable platform for the immobilization of antibody which aids in the sensor performance. The use of MoS 2 /f-CuCD is the highlight of this work through which effective anti-HPV immobilization on the surface is achieved. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to analyse the response of different concentrations of HPV-16L1 on the modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE). On increasing the concentration of HPV-16L1, the R CT value gradually increased and the peak current decreased due to the low conductivity of the protein molecule. The developed immunosensor was found to detect wide concentration ranges of 0.01–100 ng/µL with a low detection limit of 8.30 pg/µL for HPV-16L1. Spiked human serum samples were also analysed. It also proves to be a sensitive, selective, stable and feasible tool for the determination of HPV-16L1.