Assembling inner filter effect reduced SnS₂ quantum dots-based hollow polymeric spherical nanoshells for ratio...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing
• Nanomaterials for sensing applications
• Quantum dot (QD) and nanoparticle integration

Background:

• Tin disulfide quantum dots (SnS2 QDs) are effective ECL luminators but face challenges in electrode immobilization and inner filter effects.
• Developing strategies to overcome these limitations is crucial for advancing SnS2 QD-based ECL systems.
• Existing methods struggle with high loading efficiency and signal interference.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel hollow polymeric spherical nanoshells (HPSNs) platform for high loading of SnS2 QDs.
• To mitigate the inner filter effect of SnS2 QDs for enhanced ECL performance.
• To construct a ratiometric ECL biosensor for sensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SnS2 QDs-loaded HPSNs using SiO2 nanoparticles as a template.
• Assembly of a ratiometric ECL biosensor utilizing SnS2-HPSNs and Ir nanorods (NRs).
• Development of a dual-quencher system (norepinephrine and gold nanoparticles) for signal modulation.

Main Results:

• The developed SnS2-HPSNs demonstrated high loading capacity and reduced inner filter effects, significantly improving cathodic ECL performance.
• The ratiometric ECL biosensor achieved sensitive detection of cTnI with a low detection limit of 0.32 pg/mL.
• The integration of dual luminators and a dual-quencher system created a robust ECL platform.

Conclusions:

• Hollow polymeric spherical nanoshells offer an effective strategy for high loading of QDs and reduction of inner filter effects.
• The developed ratiometric ECL biosensor platform shows great promise for accurate and sensitive biomarker detection.
• This approach provides a versatile strategy for constructing advanced ECL biosensing systems.