Enhanced chemiluminescence of CdTe quantum dots–H2O2 by horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme

• Fist time study of enhancement of HRP-mimicking DNAzyme on CL emission of CdTe QDs–H2O2 system.
• The CL enhancement mechanism was investigated.
• The CL system was used to detect sensitively CdTe QDs and HRP-mimicking DNAzyme.

In this study, it was found that horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mimicking DNAzyme could effectively enhance the CL emission of CdTe quantum dots (QDs)–H2O2 system, whereas HRP could not enhance the CL intensity. The CL enhancement mechanism was investigated, and the CL enhancement was supposed to originate from the catalysis of HRP-mimicking DNAzyme on the CL reaction between CdTe QDs and H2O2. Meantime, compared with CdTe QDs–H2O2 CL system, H2O2 concentration was markedly decreased in QDs–H2O2–HRP-mimicking DNAzyme CL system, improving the stability of QDs–H2O2 CL system. The QDs-based CL system was used to detect sensitively CdTe QDs and HRP-mimicking DNAzyme (as biologic labels). This work gives a path for enhancing CL efficiency of QDs system, and will be helpful to promote the step of QDs application in various fields such as bioassay and trace detection of analyte.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mimicking DNAzyme could effectively enhance the CL emission of CdTe quantum dots (QDs)–H2O2 system.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide