Simply amplificated signal in electrochemiluminescence sensor using nano-gold film as a bridge

Abstract Normally, analytical applications of metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors need to be coupled with electrochemical catalysts, some special coreactants or resonance energy transfer method, since MOS exhibited relatively low ECL intensity. In this research, we developed a simple ECL intensity enhancement method for MOS by covering a nanogold-film (NAuF) on the surface of fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated (FTO) conductive glass electrode. Aminated MnO2 nanoparticles (NH-MnO2) was chosen as exemplary MOS emitter to discuss the role of NAuF in ECL system. The results indicated that the NAuF bridged ECL sensor using NH-MnO2 as emitter (NH-MnO2-NAuF/FTO) exhibited a stronger ECL intensity and extremely better stability. In furazolidone (FZD) determination test, the quenched ECL intensity showed a good linear relationship to FZD concentrations in the range 1.0 × 10−8 M ∼ 1.0 × 10−5 M, with a detection limit of 6.6 × 10−9 M, in optimized conditions. Given these attributes, we developed a novel platform for ECL system that could simply enhance the intensity and stability. This work also efficiently offered insights into application potential of ECL analysis.