A specific electrochemiluminescence sensor for selective and ultra-sensitive mercury(II) detection based on dithiothreitol functionalized copper nanocluster/carbon nitride nanocomposites

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

26 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Huitao Liu
  • Xueqing Gao
  • Xuming Zhuang
  • Chunyuan Tian

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4425-4431
Journal / PublicationAnalyst
Volume144
Issue number14
Online published4 Jun 2019
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jul 2019

Abstract

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors are useful for the detection of heavy metal pollutants, in particular mercury(ii) ions, in water samples. We demonstrate the superior sensing performance of Hg2+ using a nanocomposite material based on carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNSs) and copper nanoclusters functionalized by dithiothreitol, which not only stabilizes the clusters, but also improves the sensitivity of Hg2+ detection. The ECL mechanism is related to the reaction of the nanocomposite with K2S2O8 in the electrochemical system, while the presence of Hg2+ leads to quenching of its excited state, and the suppression of the formation of anion-radicals. The Hg(ii) sensor presented here is cheap and fast, and shows high selectivity for the detection of Hg2+ on the background of other mono-, di-, and trivalent ions, with a linear range of 0.5-10 nM and the detection limit as low as 0.01 nM.

Citation Format(s)

A specific electrochemiluminescence sensor for selective and ultra-sensitive mercury(II) detection based on dithiothreitol functionalized copper nanocluster/carbon nitride nanocomposites. / Liu, Huitao; Gao, Xueqing; Zhuang, Xuming et al.
In: Analyst, Vol. 144, No. 14, 21.07.2019, p. 4425-4431.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review