Electrochemiluminescence and Fluorescence Dual-Mode Aptamer Sensor Based on AIEgens-Based Self-Luminous Flower-like MOF for the Detection of Acetamiprid

High-performance self-luminous electrochemiluminescence (ECL) materials can effectively improve the sensitivity of ECL sensors. In this study, 4′,4‴,4‴″,4‴‴″-(ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrayl)tetrakis([1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid) (H4ETTC) was used as the organic ligand to prepare self-luminous flower-like aggregation-induced luminescent molecules (AIEgens)-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (Hf NFs) with aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence (AIECL) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. H4ETTC as an organic ligand to construct Hf NFs not only increases the loading capacity of the chromophore but also gives them self-luminescence properties, enabling them to produce excellent AIECL responses even without exogenous coreactants. The internally ordered framework structure of Hf NFs restricts the molecular thermal motion of H4ETTC, effectively reducing the generation of nonradiative relaxation. This not only enables Hf NFs to produce stronger AIECL and AIE responses than H4ETTC monomers and aggregates but also improves the ECL efficiency and fluorescence (FL) quantum yield of Hf NFs. Based on the resonance energy transfer (RET) effect, a signal “off-on”-type ECL and FL dual-mode aptamer sensor was constructed with Hf NFs as ECL and FL signal probes and a complex of Prussian blue analogs with polydopamine and gold nanoparticles (NiFe-PBA@PDA@Au) as a quencher to realize the sensitive detection of acetamiprid. This work provides a new avenue for the application of AIEgens-based self-luminous materials in high-performance ECL and FL sensors.