An Efficient Electrochemiluminescence Enhancement Strategy on Bipolar Electrode for Bioanalysis

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a key biomarker for prostate cancer detection.
• Existing biosensors often face challenges with sensitivity and signal amplification.
• Electrochemical methods offer potential for sensitive and specific biomarker detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for prostate specific antigen (PSA) detection.
• To enhance ECL signals using a closed bipolar electrode (BPE) system.
• To integrate advanced nanomaterials for improved biosensing performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a highly efficient cyclometalated iridium(III) complex ((pq)2Irbza) as an ECL emitter.
• Fabrication of a closed bipolar electrode (BPE) system with Pt-tipped Au NRs.
• Construction of a sandwich immunoassay incorporating enzyme catalysis and bimetallic synergistic effects for signal amplification.

Main Results:

• The developed BPE-ECL sensor achieved a low detection limit of 0.72 pg/mL for PSA.
• A wide linear detection range from 1.0 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL was established.
• The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity attributed to enzyme catalysis and bimetallic nanocatalyst synergy.

Conclusions:

• The novel BPE-ECL sensor provides a highly sensitive and efficient platform for PSA detection.
• This strategy broadens the application of iridium complexes and bimetallic nanocatalysts in biological sensing.
• The developed method holds potential for detecting other clinically relevant biomarkers.