Facile Preparation of WO3−x Dots with Remarkably Low Toxicity and Uncompromised Activity as Co‐reactants for Clinical Diagnosis by Electrochemiluminescence. Issue 38 (20th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Deng; Fang, Zhengzou; Yang, Erli; Ning, Zhenqiang; Zhou, Qing; Chen, Kaiyang; Zheng, Yongjun; Zhang, Yuanjian; Shen, Yanfei
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 59:Issue 38(2020)
• Page Start: 16747
• Page End: 16754
• Publication Date: 2020-07-20
• Subjects: animal toxicity -- biosensors -- circulating tumor cells -- WO3−x dots -- WS2 nanosheets; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202007451
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The exceptional nature of WO3− x dots has inspired widespread interest, but it is still a significant challenge to synthesize high‐quality WO3− x dots without using unstable reactants, expensive equipment, and complex synthetic processes. Herein, the synthesis of ligand‐free WO3− x dots is reported that are highly dispersible and rich in oxygen vacancies by a simple but straightforward exfoliation of bulk WS2 and a mild follow‐up chemical conversion. Surprisingly, the WO3− x dots emerged as co‐reactants for the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy)3 2+ with a comparable ECL efficiency to the well‐known Ru(bpy)3 2+ /tripropylamine (TPrA) system. Moreover, compared to TPrA, whose toxicity remains a critical issue of concern, the WO3− x dots were ca. 300‐fold less toxic. The potency of WO3− x dots was further explored in the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with the most competitive limit of detection so far. Abstract : A facile and straightforward top‐down approach for the synthesis of WO3− x dots with tunable oxygen deficiencies and ultrahigh biocompatibility is reported. The unique properties of the WO3− x dots open up the possibility for electroluminescence to be used in clinics as a co‐reactant with uncompromised high performance and unprecedented low animal toxicity compared with the common commercial co‐reactant.