An electrochemiluminescence device for visualized detection of lead in practical samples

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Lead (Pb²⁺) pollution is a significant environmental and health concern due to its bioaccumulation.
• Existing detection methods for trace lead often lack sensitivity or visual output.
• Developing rapid, accurate, and visual detection tools for lead is crucial for public health and environmental monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) device for the accurate and visualized detection of trace lead (Pb²⁺).
• To create a sensitive and specific ECL probe using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and lead-specific aptamers.
• To demonstrate the device's capability in detecting lead in complex real-world samples.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an ECL probe by modifying gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with lead-specific aptamer DNA.
• Integration of the ECL probe onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate to form a lead-specific array device.
• Utilizing an up-response ECL imaging system for visualized lead detection, achieving an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) of 9.8 pg L^-1.

Main Results:

• The developed ECL device achieved an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) of 9.8 pg L^-1 for Pb²⁺.
• Visualized detection of trace Pb²⁺ was successfully demonstrated.
• The device showed high specificity and accuracy, even in the presence of interfering ions and in complex samples like Lycium ruthenicum Murr., Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and lake water.

Conclusions:

• The study presents an advanced ECL-based technology for the visual detection of trace lead (Pb²⁺).
• The developed aptamer-functionalized AuNP-ECL probe and ITO array device offer a sensitive and specific platform for lead detection.
• This technology shows significant potential for enhancing food safety and environmental monitoring by enabling rapid and visual identification of lead contamination.