Efficient Electrochemiluminescence Sensing in Microfluidic Biosensors: A Review

Microfluidic devices are capable of handling 10-9 L to 10-18 L of fluids by incorporating tiny channels with dimensions of ten to hundreds of micrometers, and they can be fabricated using a wide range of materials including glass, silicon, polymers, paper, and cloth for tailored sensing applications. Microfluidic biosensors integrated with detection methods such as electrochemiluminescence (ECL) can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. Coupled with ECL, these tandem devices are capable of sensing biomarkers at nanomolar to picomolar concentrations, reproducibly. Measurement at this low level of concentration makes microfluidic electrochemiluminescence (MF-ECL) devices ideal for biomarker detection in the context of early warning systems for diseases such as myocardial infarction, cancer, and others. However, the technology relies on the nature and inherent characteristics of an efficient luminophore. The luminophore typically undergoes a redox process to generate excited species which emit energy in the form of light upon relaxation to lower energy states. Therefore, in biosensor design the efficiency of the luminophore is critical. This review is focused on the integration of microfluidic devices with biosensors and using electrochemiluminescence as a detection method. We highlight the dual role of carbon quantum dots as a luminophore and co-reactant in electrochemiluminescence analysis, drawing on their unique properties that include large specific surface area, easy functionalization, and unique luminescent properties.