Electrochemiluminescence and Fluorescence Dual-Mode Aptamer Sensor Based on AIEgens-Based Self-Luminous Flower-like MOF for the Detection of Acetamiprid

High-performance self-luminous electrochemiluminescence (ECL) materials can effectively improve the sensitivity of ECL sensors. In this study, 4',4‴,4‴″,4‴‴″-(ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrayl)tetrakis([1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid) (H₄ETTC) was used as the organic ligand to prepare self-luminous flower-like aggregation-induced luminescent molecules (AIEgens)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (Hf NFs) with aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence (AIECL) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. H₄ETTC as an organic ligand to construct Hf NFs not only increases the loading capacity of the chromophore but also gives them self-luminescence properties, enabling them to produce excellent AIECL responses even without exogenous coreactants. The internally ordered framework structure of Hf NFs restricts the molecular thermal motion of H₄ETTC, effectively reducing the generation of nonradiative relaxation. This not only enables Hf NFs to produce stronger AIECL and AIE responses than H₄ETTC monomers and aggregates but also improves the ECL efficiency and fluorescence (FL) quantum yield of Hf NFs. Based on the resonance energy transfer (RET) effect, a signal "off-on"-type ECL and FL dual-mode aptamer sensor was constructed with Hf NFs as ECL and FL signal probes and a complex of Prussian blue analogs with polydopamine and gold nanoparticles (NiFe-PBA@PDA@Au) as a quencher to realize the sensitive detection of acetamiprid. This work provides a new avenue for the application of AIEgens-based self-luminous materials in high-performance ECL and FL sensors.