Enhanced electrochemiluminescence analysis by TiO₂-induced tetrastyryl aggregation for the detection of aflatoxin B₁

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a serious mycotoxin that contaminates food and poses a major threat to global health. In this study, a novel ECL immunosensor platform was developed utilizing H₄TCPE-TiO₂ as a luminescent probe and PdCu nanoflowers (PdCu NFs) as an electrode substrate. The aggregation-induced enhanced electrochemiluminescence effect (AIECL) and the amplification effect of TiO₂ as a co-reaction promoter were combined in the H₄TCPE-TiO₂ nanopolymer resulting in a strong ECL response. Coral-like PdCu NFs were used as substrate materials, providing a large surface area that facilitated efficient AFB₁ antigen immobilization and enhanced the sensitivity of the immunosensor. The constructed ECL immunosensor platform demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity for the quantitative detection of AFB₁ in food samples. The detection range was 0.003-1000 ng mL^-1 with a limit of detection of 0.98 pg mL^-1. Moreover, it showed great potential for application in the detection of real samples.