Hydrogel-assisted chemiluminescence and electrochemiluminescence systems for bioanalytical applications

Hydrogels, a class of polymer materials with a three-dimensional network, are widely used in biosensors due to their remarkable biocompatibility, abundant availability, and good solubility. In recent years, hydrogels have attracted considerable attention as promising candidates for the construction of chemiluminescence (CL) biosensors and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensors, particularly for in vitro biological detection. This paper presents the advances in hydrogel-based CL and ECL sensors for bioanalytical applications. Firstly, it summarizes the design principles of hydrogels in CL and ECL biosensors. Secondly, the detection mechanisms underlying hydrogel-based CL and ECL systems are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the latest applications of hydrogel-based CL and ECL biosensors are introduced, encompassing the detection of hydrogen peroxide, proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Finally, the paper provides guidelines for overcoming the current issues towards hydrogel-based CL and ECL sensing technology.