Three-Dimensional CdS@Carbon Fiber Networks: Innovative Synthesis and Application as a General Platform for Photoelectrochemical Bioanalysis

This Letter reports a novel synthetic methodology for the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured CdS@carbon fiber (CF) networks and the validation of its feasibility for applications as a general platform for photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis. Specifically, 3D architectures are currently attracting increasing attention in various fields due to their intriguing properties, while CdS has been most widely utilized for PEC bioanalysis applications because of its narrow band gap, proper conduction band, and stable photocurrent generation. Using CdS as a representative material, this work realized the innovative synthesis of 3D CdS@CF networks via a simple solvothermal process. Exemplified by the sandwich immunoassay of fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP), the as-fabricated 3D CdS@CF networks exhibited superior properties, and the assay demonstrated good performance in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. This work features a novel fabrication of 3D CdS@CF networks that can serve as a general platform for PEC bioanalysis. The methodology reported here is expected to inspire new interest for the fabrication of other 3D nanostructured Cd-chalcogenide (S, Se, Te)@CF networks for wide applications in biomolecular detection and beyond.