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Human Tau protein is the most reliable biomarker for the prediction of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the assay to detect low concentrations of tau protein in serum is a great challenge for the early diagnosis of AD. This paper reports an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for Tau protein in serum samples. Gold nanostars (AuNSs) decorated on carbon nitride nanosheets (AuNS@g-CN nanostructure) show highly strong and stable ECL activity compared to pristine CN nanosheets due to the electrocatalytic and surface plasmon effects of AuNSs. As a result of the strong electromagnetic field at branches, AuNSs showed a better ECL enhancement effect than their spherical counterpart. For the fabrication of a specific immunosensor, immobilized AuNSs were functionalized with a monoclonal antibody specific for Tau protein. In the presence of Tau protein, the ECL intensity of the immunosensor decreased considerably. Under the optimal conditions, this ECL based immunosensor exhibits a dynamic linear range from 0.1 to 100 ng mL−1 with a low limit of detection of 0.034 ng mL−1. The LOD is less than the Tau level in human serum; thus, this study provides a useful method for the determination of Tau. The fabricated ECL immunosensor was successfully applied to the detection of Tau, the biomarker in serum samples. Therefore, the present approach is very promising for application in diagnosing AD within the early stages of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Functional carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNS) were obtained via one-step method. • Interfacial compatibility between PVA and CNNS was improved without modifications. • Resultant PVA/CNNS composites presented high thermal conductivity. • Electrical insulation and mechanical properties were enhanced simultaneously. Carbon nitride has captured much attention of researchers since it was discovered, while few studies have focused on exploring the thermal conduction applications. In this paper, carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNS) could be simultaneously functionalized during the process of exfoliation. FTIR tests proved that hydrogen bonds were constructed between PVA matrix and CNNS, at the same time, superior dispersion were also observed from SEM characterizations. In this case, significantly improved compatibility at the interfaces of them could be achieved without additional modifications. The maximum in-plane thermal conductivity of CNNS/PVA composites was enhanced to 2.7 W m−1 K−1 with low CNNS content (7.5 wt%), resulting in a sharp enhancement (785%) in comparison with that of pure PVA film (0.305 W m−1 K−1). More importantly, the as-prepared CNNS/PVA composite (at 7.5 wt% CNNS content) could even be comparable to traditional highly thermally conductive polymer composites (Graphene, Boron Nitride, Mxene, etc., were used as fillers) in terms of similar conditions. Meanwhile, the incorporation of 7.5 wt% CNNS PVA composites also showed excellent mechanical properties and electrical insulation, where the tensile strength, elongation at break, and volume resistivity reached up to 30.578 Mpa, 193.089%, 3.34 × 1011 Ω·cm respectively. These multifunctional features further indicate that CNNS/PVA composites possess the great potential for thermal management. Therefore, this work can provide effective references to prepare highly thermally conductive polymer composites by constructing in-situ functionalized CNNS, and expands its application as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]