The electrochemiluminescence of luminol on titania nanotubes functionalised indium tin oxide glass for flow injection analysis

•A greatly enhanced electrochemiluminescence of luminol by titania nanotubes.•Functionalisation for indium tin oxide coated glass to act as the working electrode.•Very sensitive response toward oxidant or antioxidant.•Determination of gross antioxidant efficiency of blueberry and kiwi.

The titania nanotubes (TiNTs) had been immobilised onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass to intensify the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of luminol. The morphology, structure and properties such as specific surface area and transmittance of synthesised TiNTs were characterised. The results indicated that the TiNTs was several hundred nanometres in length with the diameter of 20 nm. In flow injection analysis (FIA) mode, the TiNTs dramatically enhanced the ECL emission of luminol for about 25 multiple, meanwhile decreased the requirement of buffer pH and exciting potential. The ECL emission of luminol on functionalised ITO electrode has sensitive response toward hydrogen peroxide, and extraordinarily responsive toward the antioxidant. Under the optimal conditions, the ECL emission exhibited a linear response within the concentration range from 0.1 mg L−1 to 30 mg L−1 and an absolute detection limit of 1.65×10−10 g of resveratrol. The gross antioxidant activity of blueberry and kiwi were determined with satisfactory recoveries.

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