Novel sea-urchin-like PtAu nanoparticles enhanced electrochemiluminescence of nitrogen-vacancy carbon nitride for specific detection of Sudan III

A highly sensitive molecular imprinting electrochemiluminescence (MIP-ECL) sensor was developed for Sudan III detection in food. The sensor utilized nitrogen-vacancy carbon nitride (CNNV) as an efficient ECL emitter in the S 2 O 8 2− system, with sea-urchin-like Pt Au nanoparticles (Pt Au NPs) and Ti 3 CN MXene serving as co-reaction accelerators and support material respectively to enhance signal intensity. Molecular imprinting was achieved using O -phenylenediamine (O-PD) as functional monomer, creating specific recognition sites for Sudan III. The detection mechanism was based on target-induced ECL quenching through electron transfer inhibition. The sensor showed excellent analytical performance with a wide linear range from 1 × 10 −12 to 1 × 10 −6  mol L −1 and an ultralow detection limit of 3.3 × 10 −13  mol L −1 (S/N = 3). Real sample analysis demonstrated good accuracy and precision. The sensor maintained 87.5% of initial response after 20-day storage, indicating good stability. This method provides a reliable approach for monitoring Sudan III in food.