Mxene quantum dots bipolar electrochemiluminescent platform for hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2 detection

A burgeoning diversified closed bipolar electrochemiluminescent (d-BPE-ECL) based on photothermal amplification biosensor via the thermophysical and photochemical properties of niobium carbide Mxene quantum dots (Nb2C MQDs) has been proposed. The device consists of three components: separated intermediate recognition, cathodic catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and anodic ECL response channel. Wherein, the recognition compartment was innovatively designed as a temperature-sensitive conductivity modulated interface, and the introduction of photothermal material PDA@Nb2C MQDs through target mediated rolling circle amplification strategy increases the interface temperature under near-infrared light radiation, thereby enhancing the BPE current and leading to the amplification of the anode ECL signal of Nb2C MQDs. In addition, MoS2@Ni–Cu–P features excellent electrocatalytic activity, which can promote HER and thus accelerate electron transfer, further amplifying the ECL signal. Therefore, a highly sensitive d-BPE-ECL biosensor for hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2 detection with a linear range from 10−4 to 10 ng/mL and detection limit of 3.3 × 10−5 ng/mL was obtained. This work is expected to provide a new direction for exploring BPE multiple signal amplification strategy and broaden the application of BPE-ECL in bioassays.