This work reports the first preparation and characterization of a hybrid PbS quantum dot (QD)/nanoporous NiO film nanostructure as well as its application for novel self-powered cathodic photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing. Specifically, we synthesized the thioglycolic acid-capped PbS QDs and then assembled them onto the hydrothermally fabricated three-dimensional (3D) NiO nanostructured films on the transparent indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates, followed by the subsequent conjugation with the glucose oxidase as a model biocatalyst. Favorable alignment existed between the NiO and PbS QDs, and the as-obtained p-type heterostructure was characterized by various techniques and found to have good PEC activities. In the self-powered PEC biosensing of glucose, the system exhibited high sensitivity toward the presence of dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte, and thereby, a novel PEC enzymatic sensor was developed. With a PbS QD/3D NiO nanofilm, this work manifested the great promise of a heterostructure photocathode for a self-powered PEC biosensor that to the best of our knowledge has not been reported. We believe that it could inspire more interest in the design and development of numerous other p-type heterostructures for advanced self-powered PEC biosensors.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.