Electrochemiluminescence sensor for dopamine with a dual molecular recognition strategy based on graphite-like carbon nitride nanosheets/3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic acid hybrids

Abstract

Graphite-like carbon nitride nanosheets/3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic acid hybrids (g-C₃N₄ NSs–PTCA) were synthesized via π–π conjugate action. Based on novel dual molecular specific recognition of oxyethyl groups to diol and carboxyl to amine groups, a signal-on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for dopamine (DA) was constructed utilizing g-C₃N₄ NSs–PTCA as asignal probe and K₂S₂O₈ as a coreactant. Under the optimal conditions, the prepared ECL sensor presented a response to DA with a linear range from 6.0 pM to 30.0 nM. The detection limit (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the sensor were 2.4 pM and 7.9 pM, respectively. The g-C₃N₄ NSs–PTCA signal probe coupling with a novel dual molecular recognition strategy would provide a promising ECL sensing platform for detecting DA sensitively and selectively.