Antenna effect of perylene-sensitized up-conversion luminescent material amplifies the signal of electrochemiluminescence biosensor platform for the ultra-sensitive detection of enrofloxacin

Recently, up-conversion luminescent (UCL) materials have caught extensive sight on account of their excellent biocompatibility and weak automatic fluorescence background, but the low optical signal makes researchers shy away. Organic dye-sensitized UCL materials can improve the low optical signal drawback of UCL and rejuvenate it with adjustable optical properties and unique antenna effects. In this work, an efficient, simple and selective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing platform was developed for determination of enrofloxacin (ENR). 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid (PTCA) was successfully used as an antenna to improve the ECL performance of the UCL nanoparticles (PEI-NaYF4: Yb, Er) due to its appropriate excitation spectrum position and superior electron transfer rate. The specific recognition function of the aptamer enabled the sensor to eliminate the interference from conspecific impurity. In the presence of ENR, the specific combination of ENR with aptamer made the aptamer fall from surface of the electrode, thus we could see a considerable enhancement of signal. Under the most favourable conditions, the aptasensor based on antenna effect displayed a wide detection range (1.0 x 10(-14) similar to 1.0 x 10(-6) M), low limit of detection (LOD = 3.0 x 10(-15) M) and receivable recoveries (96.0%-102.4%) during water samples analysis. At this point, antenna effect provides a powerful strategy to expand the application of UCL in the field of ECL biosensing.

Automated summary

Recently, the development of up-conversion luminescent (UCL) materials with improved optical signal has gained attention. This research focuses on using organic dye-sensitized UCL materials to enhance the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) performance for the determination of enrofloxacin (ENR) by utilizing antenna effects. The specific recognition function of an aptamer was incorporated to eliminate interference and improve the sensitivity of the sensor. In the presence of ENR, the aptamer-detachment from the electrode surface resulted in a significant enhancement of the signal, enabling a wide detection range, low limit of detection, and high recoveries during water sample analysis.