A Nanoscale Multichannel Closed Bipolar Electrode\nArray for Electrochemiluminescence Sensing Platform

Abstract

In this work, we report a nanoscale\nmultichannel closed bipolar electrode (BPE) array based on the poly­(ethylene\nterephthalate) (PET) membrane for the first time. With our design,\noxidants, coreactants, quenchers, and even biomarkers can be detected\nin a Ru­(bpy)₃²⁺/TPA (tripropylamine) electrochemiluminescence\n(ECL) system. The multichannel PET membrane was etched according to\nour desire by NaOH, and then Au nanofibers were decorated in the inner\nregion of the channel as a BPE array. Using ECL as a signal readout,\na series of targets including TPA, Ru­(bpy)₃²⁺, dopamine, H₂O₂, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),\nand carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) can be detected with this device.\nThe practical application of the proposed multichannel closed BPE\narray was verified in the detection of AFP and CEA in human serum\nwith satisfying results. This kind of nanoscale device holds promising\npotential for multianalysis. More importantly, as the PET membrane\nused in this device can be etched with a desirable diameter (nano-\nto microscale) and different BPE array densities (ion tracks of 10⁸/cm², 10⁶/cm², 10⁴/cm²), our design can be served as a useful platform for\nfuture advances in nanoscale bipolar electrochemistry.