Smart modulation by bifunctional probes PNAI@Co3O4/Au NPs of the light/electric response of Au-Ag NCs to realize the dual-channel precise detection of AOH.

Mycotoxin contamination currently poses a significant concern and presents a major challenge to global food safety management. In this research, gold‑silver nanoclusters (Au-AgNCs) were utilized as platforms for electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) and electrochemical (EC) responses, while polyaniline-coated cobalt tetraoxide and gold (PANI@Co3O4/AuNPs) served as bifunctional probes with intelligently modulated light/electric signals to develop a dual mode adaptor sensor for sensitive detection of alternariol (AOH). The sensor's benefits are evident in three areas:(1) Bandgap modulation allows Au-Ag to exhibit enhanced light/electric response;(2) PANI@Co3O4/AuNPs exhibit both ECL quenching effects and the capability to activate KHSO5, along with improved electrical conductivity, which collectively improves the sensor's detection performance;(3) The dual-channel signal outputs significantly reduce the risk of false detections. Testing results indicated that the ECL and EC sensors performed exceptionally well across AOH concentration ranges of 0.001-100 ng/mL and 0.01-1000 ng/mL, with detection limit of 0.803 pg/mL and 0.378 pg/mL, respectively.