Precise mono-Cu+ ion doping enhanced electrogenerated chemiluminescence from Cd–In–S supertetrahedral chalcogenide nanoclusters for dopamine detection

Herein, the ECL behaviors of precise mono-Cu+ ion doped Cd–In–S supertetrahedral chalcogenide nanoclusters (Cu@CdInS NCs) were investigated, and the effect of mono-Cu+ ions at the vacancy site of NCs on ECL emission performance was also elucidated. Precise mono-Cu+ ion doping not only induced new ECL emission at 596 nm with enhanced efficiency as high as 21.72% relative to [Ru(bpy)3]2+, but also improved acid tolerance of the ECL performances of NCs. In addition, a simple, fast and label-free dopamine ECL sensor with excellent selectivity was achieved.