A novel paper-based bipolar electrode-electrochemiluminescence (pBPE-ECL) switch system was used for the rapid, labelfree, and sensitive detection of Hg 2 + . In the proposed approach, Hg 2 + selectively mediates two thymine-enriched singlestranded DNA probes to form double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). In the presence of Hg 2 + , the "light-switch" molecule [Ru(phen) 2 dppz] 2 + can freely intercalate into the base pairs of the dsDNA, resulting in intense ECL emission. The assay takes advantage of the wireless pBPE-ECL platform to yield a low-cost, disposable, and sensitive analysis. The system has a limit of 0.1 nM for Hg 2 + detection. We also showed that the system can be used to distinguish Hg 2 + over other metal ions, including Pb