Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of novel TiO2/CdS nanocomposites for sensitive assays of cancer cells.

A novel TiO2/CdS nanocomposite was prepared and used to fabricate an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for the detection of cancer cells for the first time. The nanocomposite exhibited a strong cathodic ECL signal. Folic acid for targeting cell membranes was bound to a TiO2/CdS/3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane film, and specific recognition of folic acid to targeting cells was achieved, leading to a significant decrease in ECL intensity. The decrease in ECL signal was logarithmically related to the cell concentration in the range of 150-9600 cells mL(-1). The ECL biosensor could provide a sensitive, selective, and convenient approach for early and accurate detection of cancer cells.