A simplified molecularly imprinted ECL sensor based on Mn2SnO4 nanocubes for sensitive detection of ribavirin†

Conventional single-signal or emerging sandwich-type double-signal electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensors/aptasensors have offered accurate detection of small molecules, yet suffer from complicated setup, long processing time, and non-reusability. Here, we demonstrate a simplified molecularly imprinted ECL sensor based on Mn₂SnO₄ nanocubes. As an n-type semiconductor, Mn₂SnO₄ has numerous active sites that can capture electrons to accelerate chemical reactions, resulting in enhanced ECL activity and stability. For the first time, we verify a robust cathodic ECL emission of Mn₂SnO₄ luminophores in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ coreactants. The proposed ECL sensor applies to the sensitive detection of ribavirin (RBV), endowing a wide linear range (1–2000 ng mL⁻¹), low detection limit (0.85 ng mL⁻¹, S/N = 3), high stability, specificity, and reproducibility, and the detection capability in real milk and chicken samples. This work highlights single semiconductor luminophore-driven molecularly imprinted ECL sensors, meeting the original aspiration of uncomplicated but high-performance sensing in food safety inspection.