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

Abstract 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, MoS 2 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 MoS 2 –F127 were characterized by different methods. A Pt electrode modified with MoS 2 –F127 (Pt/MoS 2 –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.