A signal-on electrochemiluminescence sensor for clenbuterol detection based on zinc-based metal-organic framework-reduced graphene oxide-CdTe quantum dot hybrids.

Clenbuterol (CLB) is harmful to human health when used long term, and it has been listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In this work, a novel zinc-based metal-organic frameworks-reduced graphene oxide-CdTe quantum dots (ZnMOF-RGO-CdTe QDs) hybrid was used to construct an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for detecting CLB. CdTe QDs, loaded by RGO, exhibited an enhanced ECL signal. In addition, the ZnMOFs catalyzed OH• generation by coreactant H2O2, which further strengthened the ECL signal of the CdTe QDs. The integration of ZnMOFs and RGO-CdTe QDs endowed the sensor with high sensitivity for CLB detection. The intensity of the ECL signal increased as the concentration of CLB increased. The linear range of CLB detection was 3.0 × 10-13 M to 6.0 × 10-10 M, and the detection limit was estimated to be 1.0 × 10-13 M. Furthermore, the sensor displayed a good repeatability and stability. The ZnMOF-RGO-CdTe QD hybrids described in this study provide a foundation for the development of new methods of detecting CLB. Graphical abstract ᅟ.