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Bi-metallic, ferric oxide, and carbon nanotube-assisted SPR sensor for cancer detection

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Abstract

In biomedical diagnostics, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors have emerged as one of the most valuable instruments, particularly for identifying diverse biomarkers such as cancer. Here, we propose a novel layered SPR design that makes use of the optoelectronic properties of ferric oxide (Fe2O3), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and bi-metallic (silver and platinum) materials to enhance the sensitivity and other performance metrics of SPR-based cancer detection. Because of its increased sensitivity to even minute variations in biomarker concentrations, the suggested sensor may prove helpful in the early identification and monitoring of cancer. The RI for different types of malignant cells varied from 1.392 to 1.401. The acquired numerical data indicate that the MCF-7 cell has the highest sensitivity of 320.571 deg/RIU. The highest values calculated for the characteristic’s parameters are 0.54 deg−1 detection accuracy, 174.129 RIU−1 figure of merit, and the lowest full width half maximum value of 1.841 deg, all for MCF-7 cells.

Graphical abstract

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors have become one of the most important tools in biomedical diagnostics, especially for the identification of various indicators like cancer. Here, we present a novel layered SPR design that improves the sensitivity and other performance metrics of SPR-based cancer detection by using the optoelectronic capabilities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), ferric oxide (Fe2O3), and bi-metallic (silver and platinum) materials. The proposed sensor may be useful for early cancer detection and monitoring due to its enhanced sensitivity to even small changes in biomarker concentrations. The refractive index (RI) alterations of cancer cells are measured using the angle interrogation technique. Six distinct malignant cell types had RIs ranging from 1.392 to 1.401. According to the obtained numerical data, the MCF-7 cell has the maximum sensitivity, measuring 320.571 deg/RIU. The characteristic's parameters for MCF-7 cells have been computed to yield the greatest values: 0.54 deg-1 detection accuracy, 174.129 RIU-1 figure of merit, and the lowest full width at half maximum value of 1.841 deg.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (formerly Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Gufranullah Ansari & Gaurav Verma

  2. Department of ECE, University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, 140413, India

    Amrindra Pal

  3. Defence Materials and Stores R & D Establishment (DRDO), Kanpur, 208013, India

    Alok K. Srivastava

  4. Energy Research Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Gaurav Verma

  5. Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, University Institute for Emerging Areas in Science and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Gaurav Verma

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  1. Gufranullah Ansari
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  2. Amrindra Pal
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  4. Gaurav Verma
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Contributions

Gufranullah Ansari contributed toward conceptualization (equal) and writing—review & editing (equal), Amrindra Pal contributed toward methodology (equal), and writing—review & editing (equal), Alok K. Srivastava contributed toward investigation (equal), methodology (equal), and Supervision (Lead), Gaurav Verma contributed toward investigation (equal), formal analysis (equal), and supervision (Lead).

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Correspondence to Gaurav Verma.

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Ansari, G., Pal, A., Srivastava, A.K. et al. Bi-metallic, ferric oxide, and carbon nanotube-assisted SPR sensor for cancer detection. Journal of Materials Research (2024). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-024-01358-w

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