Silver nanoparticle-initiated chemiluminescence reaction of luminol-AgNO3 and its analytical application

Ag⁺ has been regarded as an inert chemiluminescent oxidant. In this work, it was found that in the presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), AgNO₃ could react with luminol to produce strong chemiluminescence (CL). The AgNPs with smaller size could initiate stronger CL emission. To investigate the CL mechanism of the AgNPs–luminol–AgNO₃ system, the UV–visible spectra and the CL spectrum of the CL system were obtained. The CL reaction mechanism involving catalysis was proposed. Compared with the reported nanoparticles–luminol–H₂O₂ CL system, the AgNPs–luminol–AgNO₃ CL system has the advantages of low background and good stability. Moreover, the new CL system was used in immunoassay for IgG.