Signal amplification strategy electrochemiluminescence based on porous graphite-phase carbon nitride: A novel ECL sensor for ultrasensitive detection of tigecycline

Abstract

Tigecycline (TGC) is a third-generation tetracycline antibiotic known for its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. However, the misuse of tigecycline can lead to significant issues, including environmental concerns and the escalation of drug resistance. Consequently, it is essential to develop an efficient and sensitive detection method for tigecycline. In this study, a novel solid-state electrochemical luminescence sensor was firstly developed for highly sensitive detection of TGC. The sensor incorporated porous graphite-phase carbon nitride (PCN) as a luminescent reagent, triethanolamine (TEA) as a co-reagent, Fe₃O₄ and ZIF-8@Ag NPs as luminescence accelerators, resulting in a robust and stable luminescence signal. Detailed characterization of PCN, comparison of ECL efficiency between PCN and g-C₃N₄, and optimization of experimental conditions were conducted to showcase the superior ECL performance of PCN. The sensor exhibited a linear relationship between the change of ECL signal and the logarithm of tigecycline concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L, with a low detection limit of 3.33 × 10⁻¹⁵ mol/L (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated excellent stability, selectivity, and reproducibility, making it suitable for detecting TGC in milk samples.