Porphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks enhanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) by overcoming aggregation-caused quenching: A new ECL emitter for the detection of trenbolone

The development of new electrochemiluminescence (ECL) luminophores has become a hot research topic in the field of ECL. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely used in ECL sensors due to their excellent ECL performance, high porosity, and abundant surface functional groups. In the work, we developed a cerium-based organic backbone as an ECL luminophor using 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphyrin (TCPP) as organic ligand for the detection of trenbolone (TRE). Importantly, the Ce-MOFs can effectively prevent the self-aggregation and self-quenching of TCPP, so that the ECL signal is amplified. To further improve the conductivity and antigen loading capacity of the Ce-MOFs, platinum nanosheets (Pt NPs) were modified at its surface (Pt NPs@MOFs). The Au-ZnO with good biocompatibility is used as the substrate material to load that antibody through the Au-NH2. Based on the above strategy, we constructed a competitive immunosensor to achieve a highly sensitive detection of TRE. Under suitable circumstances, it was discovered that the ECL sensor had a linear relationship with the logarithm of the TRE concentration, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.61 fg/mL (S/N = 3). This work provides direction for the application of organic luminescent porphyrins and their derivatives in ECL sensors.