Ultrasensitive detection of epinephrine by a Cd@HMCNs-based electrochemiluminescent sensor

Epinephrine (EP), a vital hormone and neurotransmitter, is central to the body's fight-or-flight mechanism, boosting physical strength, mental focus, and reaction speed in high-stress scenarios. Measuring EP levels is key for analyzing stress reactions, identifying health disorders, and maintaining balanced physiological performance. In this work, we successfully synthesized cadmium-doped hollow mesoporous g-C₃N₄ spheres (Cd@HMCNs) with a high surface area and high porosity. An electrochemiluminescent (ECL) sensor for EP detection was developed since EP can effectively suppresses the ECL emission of the Cd@HMCNs/K₂S₂O₈ system. The sensor successfully detected EP within the concentration range of 5.0 × 10^-10 mol L^-1 to 1.0 × 10^-5 mol L^-1, with a detection limit as low as 1.67 × 10^-10 mol L^-1. When applied to pharmaceutical sample testing, the proposed biosensor yielded reliable and satisfactory results.