Scanning electrochemical microscopy study of ion annihilation electrogenerated chemiluminescence of rubrene and [Ru(bpy)3]2+

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used for the study of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) in the radical annihilation mode. The concurrent steady-state generation of radical ions in the microgap formed between a SECM probe and a transparent microsubstrate provides a distance-dependent ECL signal that can provide information about the kinetics, stability, and mechanism of the light emission process. In the present study, the ECL emission from rubrene and [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) was used to model the system by carrying out experiments with the SECM and light-detecting apparatus inside an inert atmosphere box. We studied the influence of the distance between the two electrodes, d, and the annihilation kinetics on the ECL light emission profiles under steady-state conditions, as well as the ECL profiles when carrying out cyclic voltammetry (CV) at a fixed d. Experimental results are compared to simulated results obtained through commercial finite element method software. The light produced by annihilation of the ions was a function of d; stronger light was observed at smaller d. The distance dependence of the ECL emission allows the construction of light approach curves in a similar fashion as with the tip currents in the feedback mode of SECM. These ECL approach curves provide an additional channel to describe the reaction kinetics that lead to ECL; good agreement was found between the ECL approach curve emission profile and the simulated results for a fast, diffusion-limited second-order annihilation process (k(ann) > 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)). In the CV mode at fixed distance, the ECL emission of rubrene showed two distinct signals at different potentials when fixing the substrate to generate the radical cation and scanning the tip to generate the radical anion. The first signal (pre-emission) corresponded to an emission well before reaching the generation of the radical anion and was more intense on Au than on Pt. The second ECL signal showed the expected steady-state behavior from the second-order annihilation reaction and agreed well with the simulation. A comparison of the emission obtained with rubrene and [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) to test the direct formation of lower energy triplets directly at the electrode showed that triplets are not the cause of the pre-emission observed. Wavelength selection experiments for the rubrene system showed that the pre-emission ECL signal also appeared slightly red-shifted with respect to the main luminophore emission; a possible explanation for this phenomenon is inverse photoemission, where the injection of highly energetic holes by the oxidized species into the negatively biased tip electrode causes emission of states in the metal that appear at a different wavelength than the singlet emission from the ECL luminophore.     

Facet-dependent electrochemiluminescence spectrum of nanostructured ZnO

A facet-dependent electrochemiluminescence (ECL) behavior was found for nanostructured ZnO with different dominant exposing planes.The ECL spectrum of nanostructured ZnO was recorded by the emission scan mode with a fluorescence spectrometer and applied to investigate the difference of surface state for different crystal planes.Electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory were used to study the effect of crystal plane on the band structure and density of states.It revealed that the ECL emission was originated primarily from the recombination of electrons from Zn 4s and the hole from O 2p,which could be utilized to study the physical and chemical properties of surface structures of as-prepared nanostructured ZnO.A physical model was suggested to elucidate the differences of ECL spectra.A concept was proposed that the energy released as photons during ECL process of nanocrystalline semiconductor materials will be correlated with the energy level of active sites located at different crystal planes.     

Mapping electrochemiluminescence as generated at double-band microelectrodes by confocal microscopy under steady state.

A confocal microspectrometer was used to collect spatially resolved electrochemiluminescence (ECL) spectra from the annihilation reaction between Ru(bpy)3+ and Ru(bpy)3(3+), each species being generated at a platinum band microelectrode and separated by a micrometric insulating gap. The use of a confocal microspectrometer allows in situ photon detection of the ECL reaction with micrometric spatial resolution and observes the concentration distribution of the photon source in the vicinity of the interelectrode gap.     

Luminescence Amplification at BiVO4 Photoanodes by Photoinduced Electrochemiluminescence

Photoinduced electrochemiluminescence (PECL) combines semiconductor (SC) photoelectrochemistry with electrochemiluminescence (ECL). In PECL, the incident light is converted into a different wavelength by an electrochemical reaction at a SC photoelectrode and allows triggering of ECL at low potentials. This concept has been employed to design up‐conversion systems. However, PECL strongly suffers from the photoelectrochemical instability of these low band gap SCs. Reported here for the first time is an original light‐conversion strategy based on PECL of a luminol derivative (L‐012) at BiVO₄ photoanodes in water. Incident light photoexcites simultaneously the L‐012 fluorescence and the photoanode. However, the resulting signal is surpassed by the PECL emission. PECL can be induced at a potential as low as ?0.4 V for several hours and can be employed to finely tune L‐012 luminescence. This finding is promising for the design of new analytical strategies and light‐addressable systems.     

Absorption and emission spectroscopy in scattering media: modelling of fluorescence decay curves and photometric laws for systems with inhomogeneous absorber distribution

Summary The optical absorption and fluorescence of scattering samples is investigated theoretically and experimentally under the condition of steady-state and pulsed irradiation, taking into account inhomogeneous distribution of the absorbing species. Based on the Kubelka-Munk model, numerical iterative expressions for the steady-state and time-resolved light flues of excitation and emission are derived. The intensities of reflected, transmitted and forward or backward emitted radiation in layered samples with vertical concentration gradients are discussed. Modification of fluorescence spectra and decay curves due to self absorption, background absorption, secondary emission and time of flight dispersion are calculated and compared to experimental data of hydrocarbons adsorbed on polycrystalline silica gel.     

Electrochemiluminescence Waveguide in Single Crystalline Molecular Wires

Here we report the first observation of active waveguide of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in single crystalline molecular wires self‐assembled from cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes, namely tris(1‐phenylisoquinoline‐C², N) (Ir(piq)₃). Under dark conditions, the molecular wires deposited on the electrode surface can act as both ECL emitters and active waveguides. As revealed by ECL microscopy, they exhibit the typical characteristics of optical waveguides, transmitting ECL and generating much brighter ECL emission at their terminals. Moreover, self‐generated ECL can be confined inside the molecular wire and propagates along the longitudinal direction as far as ≈100 μm to the terminal out of touch with the electrode. Therefore, this one‐dimensional crystalline molecular wire‐based waveguide offers the opportunity to switch the electrochemically generated ECL to remote light emission in non‐conductive regions and is promising for contactless electrochemical analysis and study of (bio)chemical systems.     

Electrochemistry, electrogenerated chemiluminescence, and excimer formation dynamics of intramolecular π-stacked 9-naphthylanthracene derivatives and organic nanoparticles

We report the electrochemical characterization and the observation of excimer emission from a series of 9-naphthylanthracene-based dimer- and trimer-bridged high steric hindrance aromatic groups during photoluminescence (PL) measurements in the solid state and in solution electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) measurements. Cyclic voltammetry of 4,4'-bis(9-(1-naphthyl)anthracen-10-yl)biphenyl (4A) and 1,3,5-tris(9-(1-naphthyl)anthracen-10-yl)benzene (4C) showed two or three reversible, closely spaced one-electron transfers on oxidation in dichloromethane. The ECL emission spectra of 4A and 4C resulting from the annihilation reaction in benzonitrile showed two bands: one at the same wavelength as the PL peak in the solution state, and a broad band at longer wavelength. With a coreactant, such as peroxydisulfate, ECL spectra showed a single peak that was less broad in shape. PL measurement in the solid state and measurement of representative time traces of PL intensity, lifetimes, and picosecond time-correlated single-photon counting confirmed excimer emission at long wavelength. A reprecipitation method was used to prepare well-dispersed organic nanoparticles (NPs) of 4A in both aqueous and acetonitrile solutions. The smallest stable size of NPs produced was ~15 ± 6 nm, as analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. These organic NPs produced stable and weak ECL emission from the annihilation reaction in both aqueous and MeCN solutions. With a coreactant, such as peroxydisulfate, the ECL signal on reduction was sufficiently strong to obtain an ECL spectrum.     

Spatially resolved electrochemiluminescence through a chemical lens

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy is an emerging technique with a wide range of imaging applications and unique properties in terms of high spatial resolution, surface confinement and favourable signal-to-noise ratio. Despite its successful analytical applications, tuning the depth of field (i.e., thickness of the ECL-emitting layer) is a crucial issue. Indeed, the control of the thickness of this ECL region, which can be considered as an “evanescent” reaction layer, limits the development of cell microscopy as well as bioassays. Here we report an original strategy based on chemical lens effects to tune the ECL-emitting layer in the model [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺/tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) system. It consists of microbeads decorated with [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ labels, classically used in bioassays, and TPrA as the sacrificial coreactant. In particular we exploit the buffer capacity of the solution to modify the rate of the reactions involved in the ECL generation. For the first time, a precise control of the ECL light distribution is demonstrated by mapping the luminescence reactivity at the level of single micrometric bead. The resulting ECL image is the luminescent signature of the concentration profiles of diffusing TPrA radicals, which define the ECL layer. Therefore, our findings provide insights into the ECL mechanism and open new avenues for ECL microscopy and bioassays. Indeed, the reported approach based on a chemical lens controls the spatial extension of the “evanescent” ECL-emitting layer and is conceptually similar to evanescent wave microscopy. Thus, it should allow the exploration and imaging of different heights in substrates or in cells.

A versatile mechanism based on a chemical lens to control the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) spatial distribution is presented. Changing the buffer capacity modifies the rate of ECL reactions, and therefore the thickness of the ECL-active layer.     

表面配体对CdSe量子点发光性质的影响

本文采用热注入法合成了以油胺/油酸为表面配体的、粒径均一的CdSe量子点(CdSe QDs)。调节表面配体交换中辛硫醇与CdSe QDs的比例,研究了表面配体对CdSe QDs光致发光及电致化学发光性质的影响,并提出了CdSe QDs的发光模型。结果表明,辛硫醇表面配体显著影响CdSe QDs的带边发射和深能级陷阱发射,因而导致CdSe QDs光致发光强度的显著降低,以及电致化学发光强度的增加。上述结果为进一步提高量子点的发光性能提供了依据。     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence. 81. Influence of donor and acceptor substituents on the ECL of a spirobifluorene-bridged bipolar system

The electrochemistry and radical ion annihilation electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of 9,9'-spirobifluorene-bridged bipolar systems containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole-conjugated oligoaryl and triarylamine substituents were investigated. The stability of the oxidized spirobifluorenes was improved by functionalization with triarylamine centers. These donor-acceptor (DA) compounds exhibited a good fluorescence efficiency with an emission maximum that correlated with the potential difference between radical anion and cation formation, suggesting a charge transfer (CT) emission band. An ECL mechanism based on the formation of the CT excited state by radical ion annihilation or production of the triplet state followed by triplet-triplet annihilation, with perhaps some excimer contribution, is proposed.     

Chemiluminescence of Electrochemically Oxidized 9‐(Phenylthiophosphoryloxymethylidene)‐10‐methylacridan Derivatives

The electrochemistry and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties of acridan phosphate ester are reported. Electrochemical oxidation of 9‐(phenylthiophosphoryloxymethylidene)‐10‐methylacridan disodium salt (Compound 1) yields the corresponding acridinium ester. The latter undergoes a fast reaction with hydrogen peroxide forming an intermediate, which produces electronically excited 9‐methyl acridone and emits blue light after relaxation to the ground state. The electrochemical oxidation of this compound appears to occur in two one‐electron steps and light emission is observed for both steps. The chemiluminescence reaction could also be triggered by electrochemical oxidation of Compound 1 in the absence of H₂O₂ when the solution was saturated with O₂. Mechanisms for these reactions based on ECL, voltammetry and in situ UV‐vis identification of the oxidation products are proposed. Due to the low electrode potential required to achieve ECL emission and the occurrence of light emission in the absence of hydrogen peroxide, this compound is proposed as a label for rapid and sensitive determination of biomolecules in automated analysis.     

Determination of nitrite based on its quenching effect on anodic electrochemiluminescence of CdSe quantum dots

A novel method for electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection of nitrite was proposed based on its quenching effect on anodic ECL emission of CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The ECL emission could be greatly enhanced by sulfite and dissolved oxygen in a neutral system and occurred at a relatively low potential in comparison with traditional anodic ECL emitter, leading to high sensitivity and good selectivity. The quenching mechanism followed an “electrochemical oxidation inhibition” process, which was completely different from those of some analytes on the ECL emission of QDs. The coincidence of photoluminescence and ECL spectra of the QDs indicated that the ECL emission resulted from the redox process of QDs core and the sulfite acted as a coreactant. The nitrite quenched ECL emission could be analyzed according to the treatment of Stern-Volmer equation with a linear range from 1 μM to 0.5 mM for detection of nitrite. This work presented a new efficient ECL methodology for quencher-related detection.     

Interparticle Charge-Transport-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence of Quantum-Dot Aerogels

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) represents a widely explored technique to generate light, in which the emission intensity relies critically on the charge-transfer reactions between electrogenerated radicals. Two types of charge-transfer mechanisms have been postulated for ECL generation, but the manipulation and effective probing of these routes remain a fundamental challenge. Here, we demonstrate the design of quantum dot (QD) aerogels as novel ECL luminophores via a versatile water-induced gelation strategy. The strong electronic coupling between adjacent QDs enables efficient charge transport within the aerogel network, leading to the generation of highly efficient ECL based on the selectively improved interparticle charge-transfer route. This mechanism is further verified by designing CdSe-CdTe mixed QD aerogels, where the two mechanistic routes are clearly decoupled for ECL generation. We anticipate our work will advance the fundamental understanding of ECL and prove useful for designing next-generation QD-based devices.     

取代基对胺化合物联吡啶钌电致化学光影响的研究

研究了苦豆子中主要生物碱槐定碱、苦参碱,以及神经兴奋药物甲基安非他命 、安非他命等化合物,在碱性联吡啶钌[Ru(bpy)_3~(2+)]水溶液（pH 9.0）中的电 致化学发光（ECL）行为。在玻碳电极上,生物碱中的氨基氮于+1.30 V（vs. Ag/AgCl）左右被氧化为氮正自由基离子,该自由基离子与Ru(bpy)_3~(2+)反应生 成激发态的Ru(bpy)_3~(2+*)而发光。研究比较了取代基性质、氨基氮周围的三维 空间结构对各生物碱ECL的影响,并结合生物碱氨基氮的电离势和键角的计算,对 这些影响进行了解释。     

Joint experimental and theoretical analysis of order-disorder effects in cubic BaZrO3 assembled nanoparticles under decaoctahedral shape

Periodic first-principles calculations based on density functional theory at the B3LYP level has been carried out to investigate the photoluminescence (PL) emission of BaZrO(3) assembled nanoparticles at room temperature. The defect created in the nanocrystals and their resultant electronic features lead to a diversification of electronic recombination within the BaZrO(3) band gap. Its optical phenomena are discussed in the light of photoluminescence emission at the green-yellow region around 570 nm. The theoretical model for displaced atoms and/or angular changes leads to the breaking of the local symmetry, which is based on the refined structure provided by Rietveld methodology. For each situation a band structure, charge mapping, and density of states were built and analyzed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, UV-vis measurements, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images are essential for a full evaluation of the crystal structure and morphology.     

Formation of Surface Traps on Quantum Dots by Bidentate Chelation and Their Application in Low‐Potential Electrochemiluminescent Biosensing

Bidentate chelation, meso‐2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), was used as a stabilizer for the synthesis of CdTe quantum dots (QDs). The bidentate chelate QDs, characterized with FT‐IR, PL, and UV/Vis spectroscopy; element analysis; and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope, exhibited surface traps due to the large surface/volume ratio of QD particle and the steric hindrance of the DMSA molecule. The unpassivated surface of the QDs produced a narrower band gap than the core and electrochemiluminescent (ECL) emission at relatively low cathodic potential. In air‐saturated pH 7.0 buffer, the QDs immobilized on electrode surface showed an intense ECL emission peak at ?0.85 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). H₂O₂ produced from electrochemical reduction of dissolved oxygen was demonstrated to be the co‐reactant, which avoided the need of strong oxidant as the co‐reactant and produced a sensitive analytical method for peroxidase‐related analytes. Using hydroquinone/horseradish peroxidase/H₂O₂ as a model system, a new, reagentless, phenolic, ECL biosensor for hydroquinone was constructed, based on the quenching effect of ECL emission of QDs by consumption of co‐reactant H₂O₂. The biosensor showed a linear range of 0.2–10 μM with acceptable stability and reproducibility. This work opens new avenues in the search for new ECL emitters with excellent analytical performance and makes QDs a more attractive alternative in biosensing.     

Tune the Fluorescence and Electrochemiluminescence of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets by Controlling the Defect States

The effects of defect states on the fluorescence (FL) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties of graphite phase carbon nitride (g-CN) are systematically investigated for the first time. The g-CN nanosheets (CNNSs) obtained at different condensation temperatures are used as the study models. It can be found that all the CNNSs have two kinds of defect states, one is originated from the edge of CNNSs (labeled as CN-defect) and the other is attributed to the partially carbonization regions (labeled as C-defect). Both two kinds of defect states substantially affect the luminescent properties of CNNSs. Both the FL and ECL signals of CNNSs contain a band gap emission and two defect emissions. For the FL of CNNSs, decreasing the density of defect states can increase efficiently the FL quantum yield, while increasing the density of defect states can make the FL spectra red shift. For the ECL of CNNSs, increasing the density of CN-defect states and decreasing the density of C-defect states are greatly important to improve the ECL activity. This work provides a deep insight into the FL and ECL mechanisms of g-CN, and is of significance in tuning the FL and ECL properties of g-CN. Also, it will greatly promote the applications of CNNSs based on the FL and ECL properties.     

Flow-injection electrogenerated chemiluminescence determination of isoniazid using luminol.

Based on a new electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) analytical idea, this paper explains a sensitive and selective flow-injection ECL method using luminol for the determination of isoniazid, based on the sensitizing effect of isoniazid for the weak ECL emission of electrochemically oxidized luminol. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the relative ECL intensity was linear with isoniazid concentration in the range of 4.0 x 10(-8) mol/L to 8.0 x 10(-6) mol/L and with a detecting limit of 2.8 x 10(-8) mol/L.     

Remote NADH imaging through an ordered array of electrochemiluminescent nanoapertures

In this report, we present an ordered array comprising thousands of nanoapertures for the electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection of NADH. It was fabricated on the distal face of a coherent optical fiber bundle. Such a high-density array of nanoapertures combines optical, imaging and electrochemical properties. Indeed, each nanoaperture is surrounded by a gold nanoring, which acts as an electrode material. The behavior of the array was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and it shows excellent electrochemical performances. NADH is the analyte, which is measured in presence of Ru(bpy)3(2+). The ruthenium complex mediates the NADH oxidation and this coenzyme acts as a co-reactant in the ECL mechanism. ECL light is generated at the distal face of the array by each gold ring electrode. A fraction of this ECL light is collected by the corresponding nanoaperture, transmitted through the optical fiber bundle and finally imaged on the proximal face with a CCD camera. In this work, we show that NADH concentration is remotely detected by an oxidative-reductive ECL mechanism. We present also some preliminary results about the ECL process of NADH with Ru(bpy)3(2+). The ECL behavior of NADH on gold surface is reported. The influence of the applied potential on the collected light intensity was investigated. The variation of the ECL intensity measured through the nanoaperture array with NADH concentration is linear. Remote ECL detection of NADH is spatially resolved over a large area with a micrometer resolution through the array. Therefore, such array integrates several complementary functions: ECL light generation, collection, transmission and remote imaging in an array format.