A dual-mode biosensor based on silica inverse opal photonic crystals modulated electrochemiluminescence and dye displacement colorimetry for the sensitive detection of synthetic cathinone in water environment

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 354; p. 141671
• Main Authors: Dong, Meihua, Jiang, Ding, Wang, Wenchang, Shiigi, Hiroshi, Chen, Xiaohui, Chen, Zhidong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2024
• Subjects: 4-Chloroethcathinone; Colorimetry; Dual-mode; Electrochemiluminescence; PCN-224; Dual-mode; Colorimetry; Electrochemiluminescence; 4-Chloroethcathinone; PCN-224
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141671

To address the challenges posed by signal capacity limitations and the reliance of sensing methods on single analytical information, this study developed an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and colorimetric dual-mode sensing platform for the precise detection of 4-chloroethcathinone (4-CEC) in water environments. Firstly, the accurate alignment of the reflection wavelength of appropriately sized silica inverse opal photonic crystals (SIOPCs) with the ECL emission wavelength of luminescent metal-organic frameworks (PCN-224) has been achieved via diameter modulation. This innovative design, which cleverly utilized the band-edge effect, improved the luminous intensity of the ECL sensor, leading to a significant boost in analytical performance. Secondly, the establishment of a colorimetric detection method for confirming the presence of 4-CEC in samples through visual observation of color changes was achieved by employing an aptamer-based dye displacement reaction, utilizing differential binding affinities between the aptamer and both the sulforhodamine B (SRB) and 4-CEC. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the dual-mode sensor demonstrated ECL detection of limits (LOD) of 2.6 × 10−13 g/L and colorimetric LOD of 6.5 ng/L for 4-CEC. These findings highlighted the tremendous potential of developing streamlined and efficient dual-signal readout platforms using ECL aptamer sensors for the precise determination of other Synthetic cathinones (SCs) in water environments. Scheme 1. Dual-mode strategy of electrochemiluminescence and colorimetric for sensitive detection of 4-CEC. [Display omitted] •A novel ECL and colorimetric dual-mode sensor was established for 4-CEC detection.•The band-edge effect enhanced the ECL intensity of PCN-224.•Aptamer-based dye-displacement reaction achieved visual detection of 4-CEC.•The detection of 4-CEC in water was extended to the field of ECL.