Potential-Modulated Electrochemiluminescence of Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for Dual-Signal Sensing of Metal Ions

Abstract

As an emerging semiconductor, graphite-phase polymeric carbon nitride (GPPCN) has drawn much attention not only in photocatalysis but also in optical sensors such as electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing of metal ions. However, when the concentrations of interfering metal ions are several times higher than that of the target metal ion, it is almost impossible to distinguish which metal ion changes the ECL signals in real sample detection. Herein, we report that the dual-ECL signals could be actuated by different ECL reactions merely from GPPCN nanosheets at anodic and cathodic potentials, respectively. Interestingly, the different metal ions exhibited distinct quenching/enhancement of the ECL signal at different driven potentials, presumably ascribed to the diversity of energy-level matches between the metal ions and GPPCN nanosheets and catalytic interactions of the intermediate species in ECL reactions. On this basis, without any labeling and masking reagents, the accuracy and reliability of sensors based on the ECL of GPPCN nanosheets toward metal ions were largely improved; thus, the false-positive result caused by interferential metal ions could be effectively avoided. As an example, the proposed GPPCN ECL sensor with a detection limit of 1.13 nM was successfully applied for the detection of trace Ni(2+) ion in tap and lake water.

Nanostructured Carbon Nitrides for CO2 Capture and Conversion

“…Apart from the above‐mentioned methodologies, there has been a lot of interest in the synthesis and development of novel exfoliated g‐C 3 N 4 nanosheets for photocatalysis and other prominent applications. Exfoliation strategies such as thermal‐oxidation‐cum‐etching, liquid ultrasound, chemical oxidation followed by reduction, additive‐based exfoliations, and intercalation or ion‐exchange processes have been employed to fabricate thin sheets of g‐C 3 N 4 …”

Recent Advances Based on Nanomaterials as Electrochemiluminescence Probes for the Fabrication of Sensors

“…The corresponding reaction mechanisms were shown in Table . Taking QDs/TEA ECL system as an example, both QDs and TEA are oxidized at the surface of the electrode, and the formed strong reducing agent (TEA . ) can react with the oxidized state of QDs to produce an excited state and generate light.…”

“…Up to date, g‐C 3 N 4 based ECL systems have been widely used for a variety of targets detection . For example, statically quenched cathodic ECL was used for the Cu 2+ analysis based on the efficient electron transfer from the negatively charged g‐C 3 N 4 .…”

“…For example, statically quenched cathodic ECL was used for the Cu 2+ analysis based on the efficient electron transfer from the negatively charged g‐C 3 N 4 . Recently, Zhang's group utilized the quenching/enhancement of the ECL signal at different driven potentials to distinguish metal ions, the changes of ECL signals produced by metal ions made the sensing more credible in real sample. By combing with the recognized elements such as antibody and antigen, g‐C 3 N 4 can also be used for the analysis of biomolecules .…”

Recent Advances in Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Based Chemiluminescence, Cataluminescence and Electrochemiluminescence

“…11 Schematic illustration of the dual-wavelength ratiometric ECL-RET biosensor configuration strategy. Reprinted with permission [151] Shang et al proposed a different strategy for dual-signaling-responsive ECL sensor [155], in which the dual-ECL signals could be actuated by different ECL reactions merely from graphite-phase polymeric carbon nitride (GPPCN) nanosheets at anodic and cathodic potentials with triethanolamine and S 2 O 8 2-as co-reactants, respectively. Interestingly, the different metal ions exhibited distinct quenching/enhancement of the ECL signal at different driven potentials, presumably ascribed to the diversity of energy-level matches between the metal ions and GPPCN nanosheets and catalytic interactions of the intermediate species in ECL reactions.…”