A highly stable and effective electrochemiluminescence platform of copper oxide nanowires coupled with graphene for ultrasensitive detection of pentachlorophenol

A highly stable and effective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing platform of copper oxide nanowires coupled with reduced graphene oxide (CuO NWs/rGO) is presented for ultrasensitive detection of pentachlorophenol (PCP). The CuO NWs/rGO sensing system is prepared via an electrodeposition technique followed by chemical oxidation and annealing processes. The CuO nanowire is revealed to be electroluminescent for the first time, and the rGO greatly enhances the ECL signal. In the presence of the coreactant S2O82−, the CuO NWs/rGO-based ECL sensor can sensitively and selectively detect PCP with a wide linear range from 1.0 × 10−14 to 1.0 × 10−9 mol L−1 and a very low detection limit of 0.7 × 10−14 mol L−1. The sensor shows excellent recyclability and outstanding durability evidenced by its nearly unchanged ECL signal after the sensing electrode being stored for 10 months in air at room temperature. The proposed ECL sensor could be a promising alternative method for the emergency and routine monitoring of the PCP in real environment.