Multi-element transition metal electrochemiluminescence system based on efficient quenching strategy for sensitive detection of glial fibrillary acidic protein

Abstract

In this study, we skillfully selected six transition metals and designed two materials with superior performance. NiMoO₄ was used for immobilization of Ru to engineer RuMoNi nanorods (NRs) through a facile hydrothermal approach, functioning as potent ECL emitters. The robust binding interaction between Ru and NiMoO₄ effectively addressed the instability issue caused by strong solubility of Ru. This incorporation not only narrowed the band gap, but facilitated the formation of active sites. Furthermore, we incorporated Pt into the transition metals Cu and Co to form a ternary alloy, PtCuCo, as the signal-off probe that exhibited exceptional biocompatibility. This combination leveraged the synergistic effect among the three elements to enhance the sensor’s sensitivity by inhibiting the luminescence process, thereby improving a quenching performance while simultaneously reducing the Pt loading. By rationally utilizing interactions such as resonance energy and electron transfer, we constructed a sandwich-type ECL immunosensor with high signal response and low background noise to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein. Remarkably, the developed immunosensor demonstrated an impressive detection limit of 1.66 pg mL⁻¹ and it has been carried out to the analysis of human serum samples, proving great prospects as an immunoassay platform for early diagnosis and treatment of gliomas.