Lighting Up Electrochemiluminescence-Inactive Dyes via Grafting Enabled by Intramolecular Resonance Energy Transfer

Abstract

Due to near-zero optical background and photobleaching, electrochemiluminescence (ECL), an optical phenomenon excited by electrochemical reactions, has drawn extensive attention, especially for ultrasensitive bioassays. Developing diverse ECL emitters is crucial to unlocking their multiformity and performances but remains a formidable challenge due to the rigorous requirements for ECL. Herein, we report a general strategy to light up ECL-inactive dyes in an aqueous solution via grafting, a well-developed concept for plant propagation since 500 BCE. As a proof of concept, a series of luminol donor–dye acceptor-based ECL emitters were grafted with near-unity resonance energy transfer (RET) efficiency and coarse/fine-tunable emission wavelengths. Rather than the sophisticated design of new skeleton-based molecules to meet all of the prerequisites for ECL in a constrained manner, each unit in the proposed ECL ensemble performed its functions maximally. As a result, beyond traditional two-dimensional (2D) ones, a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate biosensing system, simultaneously showing a calibration curve and selectivity, was established using the new ECL emitter. This lighting up strategy would generally address the scarcity of ECL emitters and enable unprecedented functions.

Voltammetric Study and Modeling of the Electrochemical Oxidation Process and the Adsorption Effects of Luminol and Luminol Derivatives on Glassy Carbon Electrodes

“…Despite the large amount of work using ABEI and L012, ,, much effort have been devoted to the development of new luminophores. − The adsorption effect of a luminophore on electrode surfaces can help to improve the sensitivity of ECL-based detection techniques, for example, by choosing a reagent with a significant adsorption effect and applying higher scan rates in the measurement. This phenomenon would also promote the development of novel luminophores.…”

Growth of Robust Carbon Nitride Films by Double Crystallization with Exceptionally Boosted Electrochemiluminescence for Visual DNA Detection

“…Despite unprecedented success, however, compared with the highly developed similar photoexcitation process, that is, photoluminescence, research on pursuing ECL emitters with high efficiency for biosensors in aqueous solution is still in its infancy. [ 12 ] Moreover, for large‐scale clinical bioassays, the new ECL emitters still should be low‐cost, non‐toxic, and environmentally friendly, but this still remains challenging. [ 1d,g,6a,13 ]…”

Electrochemiluminescence Drug Sensor for Acetaminophen using Boron Nitride Quantum Dots as Ru(bpy)32+ Coreactant for Acetaminophen

“…Due to near-zero optical background and photobleaching, ECL sensors are beginning to make their mark in ultrasensitive bioassays [6]. In recent studies, semiconductor polymers have attracted extensive attention from photocatalysis to recent biosensing due to their unique defect-tolerant optoelectronic properties as well as being metal-free, inexpensive, and highly stable [7]. The development of diverse ECL emitters is now critical to unlock their versatility and performance, but remains a formidable challenge due to the stringent requirements of ECL [8].…”