Novel anodic electrochemiluminescence system of Pt nanocluster/graphene hybrids for ultrasensitive detection of Cu2 +

• One-step electrodeposition of Pt nanoclusters/graphene hybrid
• Anodic electrochemiluminescence emission
• Detection of Cu2 + with a wide linear range and a low detection limit
• Good reproducibility and applicability for practical application

Anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission was for the first time observed from noble metal nanoparticles under coreactants. In this work, we present a novel ECL sensor based on Pt nanoclusters/graphene (Pt NCs/GR) hybrid with triethanolamine (TEA) as the coreactant for the trace detection of copper ion (Cu2 +). GR significantly enhanced the anode ECL signal, due to its superior electron conduction. The ECL intensity could be greatly weakened by addition of Cu2 +. The proposed protocol offered a highly sensitive, selective and recyclable method for detection of Cu2 + with a wide linear range from 1.0 × 10− 4 to 2.0 × 10− 1 mg/L and a low detection limit of 1.0 × 10− 4 mg/L. Furthermore, the practicability of the ECL sensor in real water sample was also tested, showing that the ECL sensor based on Pt NCs/GR could be a promising alternative method for the monitoring of the Cu2 + in real sample.

Anodic electrochemiluminescence emission was for the first time observed from noble metal nanoparticles under coreactants. The proposed sensor showed an excellent Cu2 + detection performance with low detection limit, and the immobilized ECL system exhibited a good reproducibility.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide