Enhanced electrochemiluminescence by ZnO nanowires for taurine determination.

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for the sensitive detection of taurine was developed. Taurine contains an aliphatic amine that gives it co-reactant properties. The ECL response of the taurine/[Ru(bpy)3]2+ system was analyzed on two different electrodes surfaces, screen-printed graphene and gold electrodes, before and after modification with ZnO nanowires (ZnO NWs). The ZnO NWs modified electrode yielded an enhanced ECL signal, allowing rapid detection of taurine at 5.5 × 10-6 mol L-1 detection limit. The ECL signal is stable and reproducible. The sensor has been applied to the determination of taurine in a commercial taurine supplement.