Using the photo-enhanced barrier effect on electrochemical response for highly sensitive detection of melamine

Melamine added to milk powder can lead to kidney injury and even death, but rapid detection is still hard due to the strong interference of milk powder solution. Herein, the CC/CeO₂/CNPs mesh was constructed to detect melamine by using the photo-enhanced barrier effects on electrochemical response. Schottky barrier was regulated effectively to produce electrochemical response to melamine by photo-induced electrostatic interaction, which exhibited strong resistance to interference in milk powder solution. Sensitivity was enhanced by nearly 5 times and the lowest detection limit was reduced as low as 0.274 nM. The obtained high recovery (100%-104%) and good stability in milk powder solution indicated the good potential for practical applications. It provides a new opportunity for achieving strong resistance to interference by using the photo-enhanced barrier driving effect on electrochemical response.