Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A novel electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on the self-ECL emission of conjugated polymer dots for lead ion detection

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Microchimica Acta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The poly[(9,9-dioctylfuorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-co-(1,4-benzo-{2,1′,3}-thiadiazole)] (PFBT) was carboxyl-functionalized to prepare polymer dots (C-PFBT Pdots), which served as a self-ECL emitter for producing an extraordinary ECL signal without any exogenous coreactants. The C-PFBT Pdots–modified electrode captured the substrate DNA and further hybridized with a ferrocene (Fc)-labeled DNA. The ECL emission of C-PFBT Pdots was quenched by Fc (a signal off state). After the DNAzyme was added, the DNAzyme-substrate hybrids were formed through hybridizing between DNAzyme and substrate and the Fc-labeled DNA was released. In the presence of target Pb2+, the DNAzyme-substrate hybrids could be specifically recognized and cleaved to release the DNAzyme and Pb2+. Ultimately, the released DNAzyme would further hybridize with the substrate for producing the DNAzyme-substrate hybrids and then were cleaved by the released Pb2+. As a result, the DNA walking machine was generated and the substantial Fc was away from C-PFBT Pdots to obtain a signal on state. Such a strategy achieved a sensitive detection of Pb2+ and the detection limit was as low as 0.17 pM. Moreover, making this ECL biosensor for an intracellular Pb2+ detecting, a convincing performance was achieved. The self-ECL emitter C-PFBT Pdots combining with the quencher Fc provided a new strategy and platform for constructing a coreactant-free ECL assay.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Scheme 1
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang H, Zuo FM, Tan XR, Xu SH, Yuan R, Chen SH (2018) A novel electrochemiluminescent biosensor based on resonance energy transfer between poly(9,9-di- n -octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracar-boxylic acid for insulin detection. Biosens Bioelectron 104:65–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Richter MM (2004) Electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Chem Rev 104(6):3003–3036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Khalilzadeh B, Shadjou N, Afsharan H, Eakandani M, Charoudeh HN, Rashidi MR (2016) Reduced graphene oxide decorated with gold nanoparticle as signal amplification element on ultra-sensitive electrochemiluminescence determination of caspase-3 activity and apoptosis using peptide based biosensor. Biolmpacts 6(3):135–147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Fu XM, Tan XR, Yuan R, Chen SH (2017) A dual-potential electrochemiluminescence ratiometric sensor for sensitive detection of dopamine based on graphene-CdTe quantum dots and self-enhanced Ru(II) complex. Biosens Bioelectron 90:61–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Isildak I, Navaeipour F, Afsharan H, Kanberoglu GS, Agir I, Ozer T, Annabi N, Totu EE, Khalilzadeh B (2020) Electrochemiluminescence methods using CdS quantum dots in aptamer-based thrombin biosensors: a comparative study. Microchim Acta 187:25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Liu W, Chen AY, Li SK, Peng KF, Chai YQ, Yuan R (2019) Perylene derivative/luminol nanocomposite as a strong electrochemiluminescence emitter for construction of an ultrasensitive MicroRNA biosensor. Anal Chem 91:1516–1523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gai QQ, Wang DM, Huang RF, Liang XX, Wu HL, Tao XY (2018) Distance-dependent quenching and enhancing of electrochemiluminescence from tris(2, 2′-bipyridine) ruthenium (II)/tripropylamine system by gold nanoparticles and its sensing applications. Biosens Bioelectron 118:80–87

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Yang F, Zhong X, Jiang XY, Zhuo Y, Yuan R, Wei SP (2019) An ultrasensitive aptasensor based on self-enhanced Au nanoclusters as highly efficient electrochemiluminescence indicator and multi-site landing DNA walker as signal amplification. Biosens Bioelectron 130:262–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Zhang XL, Li WM, Zhou Y, Chai YQ, Yuan R (2019) An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence biosensor for MicroRNA detection based on luminol-functionalized Au NPs@ZnO nanomaterials as signal probe and dissolved O2 as coreactant. Biosens Bioelectron 135:8–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Wang Y, Lu J, Tang LH, Chang HX, Li JH (2009) Graphene oxide amplified electrogenerated chemiluminescence of quantum dots and its selective sensing for glutathione from thiol-containing compounds. Anal Chem 81(23):9710–9715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Liu JL, Tang ZL, Zhuo Y, Chai YQ, Yuan R (2017) Ternary electrochemiluminescence system based on rubrene microrods as luminophore and Pt nanomaterials as coreaction accelerator for ultrasensitive detection of MicroRNA from cancer cells. Anal Chem 89(17):9108–9115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Xiong CY, Liang WB, Zheng YN, Zhuo Y, Chai YQ, Yuan R (2017) Ultrasensitive assay for telomerase activity via self-enhanced electrochemiluminescent ruthenium complex doped metal–organic frameworks with high emission efficiency. Anal Chem 89(5):3222–3227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen WL, Zhu Q, Tang QH, Zhao K, Deng AP, Li JG (2018) Ultrasensitive detection of diclofenac based on electrochemiluminescent immunosensor with multiple signal amplification strategy of palladium attached graphene oxide as bioprobes and ceria doped zinc oxide as substrates. Sensors Actuators B Chem 268:411–420

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhou Y, Wang HJ, Zhang H, Chai YQ, Yuan R (2018) Programmable modulation of copper nanoclusters electrochemiluminescence via DNA nanocranes for ultrasensitive detection of microRNA. Anal Chem 90(5):3543–3549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Wang NN, Feng YQ, Wang YW, Ju HX, Yan F (2018) Electrochemiluminescent imaging for multi-immunoassay sensitized by dual DNA amplification of polymer dot signal. Anal Chem 90(12):7708–7714

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lu QY, Zhang JJ, Wu YY, Chen SH (2015) Conjugated polymer dots/oxalate anodic electrochemiluminescence system and its application for detecting melamine. RSC Adv 5(78):63650–63654

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Chen HM, Lu QY, Liao JY, Yuan R, Chen SH (2016) Anodic electrogenerated chemiluminescence behavior and the choline biosensing application of blue emitting conjugated polymer dots. Chem Commun 52(45):7276–7279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Wang NN, Wang YW, Ju HX, Yan F (2018) Electrochemiluminescent imaging for multi-immunoassay sensitized by dual DNA amplification of polymer dot signal. Anal Chem 90(12):7708–7714

  19. Luo JH, Li Q, Chen SH, Yuan R (2019) Coreactant-free dual amplified electrochemiluminescent biosensor based on conjugated polymer dots for the ultrasensitive detection of MicroRNA. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 11(30):27363–27370

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ma L, Wu N, Liu Y, Ran X Q, Xiao D B (2019) Self-electrochemiluminescence of poly[9,9-bis(3′-(N,N- dimethyl amino)propyl)-2,7-fluorene]-alt- 2,7-(9,9- dioctylfluorene)] and resonance energy transfer to aluminum tris(8-quinolinolate). Electrochim Acta 297: 826–832

  21. Childhood Lead Poisoning (2017)

  22. Gao ZB, Ma XG (2011) Speciation analysis of mercury in water samples using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography. Anal Chim Acta 702(1):50–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Liu JS, Chen HW, Mao XQ, Jin X (2000) Determination of trace copper, lead, cadmium, and iron in environmental and biological samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry coupled to flow injection on-line coprecipitation preconcentration using DDTC-nickel as coprecipitate carrier. Int J Environ Anal Chem 76(4):267–282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mandlate JS, Soares BM, Seeger TS, Vecchia PD, Mello PA, Flores EM, Duarte F (2017) Determination of cadmium and lead at sub-ppt level in soft drinks: an efficient combination between dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Food Chem 221:907–912

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Uden P, Boaky HT, Kahakachchi C, Hafezi R, Nolibos P, Block E, Johnson S, Tyson JF (2004) Element selective characterization of stability and reactivity of selenium species in selenized yeast. J Anal At Spectrom 19(1):65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Zhu X, Lin ZY, Chen LF, Qiu B, Chen GN (2009) A sensitive and specific electrochemiluminescent sensor for lead based on DNAzyme. Chem Commun 40:6050

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Dong YQ, Tian WR, Ren SY, Dai RP, Chi YW, Chen GN (2014) Graphene quantum dots/l-cysteine coreactant electrochemiluminescence system and its application in sensing lead(II) ions. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6(3):1646–1651

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Li M, Kong QK, Bian ZQ, Ma C, Ge SG, Zhang Y, Yu JH, Yan M (2015) Ultrasensitive detection of lead ion sensor based on gold nanodendrites modified electrode and electrochemiluminescent quenching of quantum dots by electrocatalytic silver/zinc oxide coupled structures. Biosens Bioelectron 65:176–182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Chen HM, Zhang H, Yuan R, Chen SH (2017) Novel double-potential electrochemiluminescence ratiometric strategy in enzyme-based inhibition biosensing for sensitive detection of organophosphorus pesticides. Anal Chem 89(5):2823–2829

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Buck RP, Lindner E (1994) Recommendations for nomenclature of ionselective electrodes (IUPAC recommendations 1994). Pure Appl Chem 66:2527–2536

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Long GL, Winefordner JD (1983) Limit of detection. A closer look at the IUPAC definition. Anal Chem 55(7):712A–724A

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Li T, Dong S, Wang EK (2010) A lead (II)-driven DNA molecular device for turn-on fluorescence detection of lead (II) ion with high selectivity and sensitivity. J Am Chem Soc 132:13156–13157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Wen ZB, Liang WB, Zhuo Y, Xiong CY, Zheng YN, Yuan R, Chai YQ (2017) An efficient target-intermediate recycling amplification strategy for ultrasensitive fluorescence assay of intracellular lead ions. Chem Commun 53:7525–7528

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Yu Z, Zhou W, Han J, Li YC, Fan LZ, Li XH (2016) Na+ induced conformational change of Pb2+-stabilized G quadruplex and its influence on Pb2+ detection. Anal Chem 88:9375–9380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Peng X, Liang WB, Wen ZB, Xiong CY, Zheng YN, Chai YQ, Yuan R (2018) Ultrasensitive fluorescent assay based on a rolling-circleamplification-assisted multisite-strand-displacement-reaction signal-amplification strategy. Anal Chem 90:7474–7479

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Xia J, Lin M, Zuo X, Su S, Wang L, Huang W, Fan C, Huang Q (2014) Metal ion-mediated assembly of DNA nanostructures for cascade fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based fingerprint analysis. Anal Chem 86:7084–7087

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Yu YM, Hong Y, Gao P, Nazeeruddin MK (2016) Glutathione modified gold nanoparticles for sensitive colorimetric detection of Pb2+ ions in rainwater polluted by leaking perovskite solar cells. Anal Chem 88:12316–12322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Sun QW, Wang JK, Tang MH, Huang LM, Zhang ZY, Liu C, Lu XH, Hunter KW, Chen GS (2017) A new electrochemical system based on a flow-field shaped solid electrode and 3D-printed thin-layer flow cell: detection of Pb2+ ions by continuous flow accumulation square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry. Anal Chem 89:5024–5029

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Kang WJ, Pei X, Rusinek CA, Bange A, Haynes EN, Heineman WR, Kang IP (2017) Determination of lead with a copper-based electrochemical sensor. Anal Chem 89:3345–3352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (21775122, 21775124, 21777131) and the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2018jcyjAX0693), China.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Nanomaterials & Sensor Technologies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People’s Republic of China

    Ying He, Xiaoxia Hu, Shihong Chen & Ruo Yuan

  2. Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China

    Zhengjun Gong

Authors
  1. Ying He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiaoxia Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhengjun Gong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shihong Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ruo Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zhengjun Gong or Shihong Chen.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 290 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

He, Y., Hu, X., Gong, Z. et al. A novel electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on the self-ECL emission of conjugated polymer dots for lead ion detection. Microchim Acta 187, 237 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-4212-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-4212-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation