We report an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs), which has been synthesized by a solvothermal method. The N-CQDs were characterized using various techniques such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The potential sweep range (−0.5 to −2.2 V) shows a stable and strong ECL signal. Interestingly, the ECL intensity only decreased by less than 20% after storing at 4°C for 10 months. The applicability of the N-CQD sensor in electroanalytical chemistry was identified by the linear ECL on–off response for ceftazidime in a concentration range from 1×10-7 to 5×10-4 mol L–1 and a detection limit of 2.3×10-8 mol L–1. The results suggest that the proposed ECL sensor is robustly applicable for analysis of ceftazidime in real samples such as human serum, bovine milk, and commercial milk powder.
Carbon-based quantum dots, including carbon and graphene dots, with exceptional optical, electrical, and chemical properties, have widely attracted interests in various applications such as drug delivery and gene transfer, biological imaging, sensing, food safety, photodynamic/photothermal therapy, and energy applications. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors based on carbon and graphene dots have demonstrated promising potential and quick progress recently and have also found fantastic achievements. Deep insight into the applications of carbon and graphene dots in ECL sensing platforms will benefit the design of advanced sensors in the future. In this chapter, a general description of the basic ECL mechanisms, a brief description of carbon and graphene dots synthesis and characterization, and application of them in ECL sensing of various targets like metal ions, proteins, DNA, small molecules, and cells are discussed.
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