Microchip capillary electrophoresis coupled with an end-column electrochemiluminescence detection

An easy and universal wall-jet configuration for microchip CE-ECL detection system was constructed and investigated in this work. Two detection modes of pre-column and post-column were applied to the above system. TPA, tramadol and lidocaine were chosen as model analytes to estimate the system in both modes. The important operational parameters such as the concentration of luminescent reagent and the distance between the separation outlet and the working electrode were optimally obtained and compared for the first time.     

Capillary electrophoresis with solid-state electrochemiluminescence detector

We report capillary electrophoresis coupling to a solid-state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector for the first time. The solid-state ECL detector was fabricated by immobilizing the ECL reagent tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium (TBR) in poly-(p-styrenesulfonate)-silica-poly(vinyl alcohol) grafting 4-vinylpyridine copolymer films. The excellent stability of the solid-state ECL detector in the phosphate solution satisfied application in CE. The CE with solid-state ECL detector system was characterized using tripropylamine (TPA) and proline. The influences of detection potential, the concentration of TBR in the film, and pH value of ECL buffer were investigated. The linear range for TPA and proline was 0.005-10 microM and 5-10 mM with correlation coefficients of 0.997 and 0.998, respectively. The detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio S/N = 3) was estimated to be 0.002 and 2.0 microM for TPA and proline, respectively. The relative standard deviations for 1.0 microM TPA and 1.0 mM proline were 8.7% and 7.5% with theoretical plate numbers of 70 000 and 16 000, respectively. Compared with the CE-ECL of TBR in aqueous solution, the CE coupling with solid-state ECL detector system gave the same sensitivity of analysis.     

A simple and low-cost electrochemiluminescence detector for capillary electrophoresis

A simple and cost-effective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector for capillary electrophoresis (CE) has been developed. The detector was constructed by vertically gluing a 0.5 mL plastic sample vial onto a piece of 1.5 cm x 1 cm x 0.6 mm indium/tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass plate. End-column ECL detection was performed in a wall-jet configuration. Potential control of the ITO electrode was provided using a direct current (DC) battery. Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) (Ru(bpy)3(3+))-based ECL reaction was used for sensitive detection of four trialkylamines (trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine) and two amino acids (proline, hydroxyproline). With 15 mM sodium borate (pH 9.5) plus 3.5 mM Ru(bpy)3(2+) present in the detection cell and the ITO electrode biased at 1.7 V (vs. platinum wire reference), the test analytes can be efficiently separated and sensitively detected by the developed CE-ECL system. Linearity (r > or = 0.995) over two orders of magnitude and an average number of theoretical plates of 160 000/m were generally obtained. Reproducibility on peak height and migration times (n = 42) was 3.3% and 1.2% for tripropylamine, and 2.4% and 1.5% for proline, respectively. The detection limits were in the range of 2-5 microM (1-2 fmol) for the test analytes.     

Drug-human serum albumin binding studied by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection

A new technique for investigating drug-protein binding was developed employing capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)(3) (2+)] electrochemiluminescence (ECL) (CE-ECL) detection after equilibrium dialysis. Three basic drugs, namely pridinol, procyclidine and its analogue trihexyphenidyl, were successfully separated by capillary zone electrophoresis with end-column Ru(bpy)(3) (2+) ECL detection. The relative drug binding to human serum albumin (HSA) for each single drug as well as for the three drugs binding simultaneously was calculated. It was found that the three antiparkinsonian drugs compete for the same binding site on HSA. This work demonstrated that Ru(bpy)(3) (2+) CE-ECL can be a suitable technique for studying drug-protein binding.     

New capillary electrophoresis-electrochemiluminescence detection system equipped with an electrically heated Ru(bpy)3(2+)/multi-wall-carbon-nanotube paste electrode

A new capillary electrophoresis-electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection system equipped with an electrically heated Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)/multi-wall-carbon-nanotube paste electrode (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)/MWNTPE) was developed. Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was immobilized in the electrode by directly mixing with the multi-wall-carbon-nanotube paste (MWNTP). This modified electrode could be electrically heated and temperature of the electrode (Te) could be accurately controlled. Tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) was used as coreactant to investigate CE-ECL signals under different conditions. Compared with the conventional electrode at room temperature, the heated electrode has been shown to provide some advantages, such as higher sensitivity, lower RSD, and decreasing width of the peak. Furthermore, wider range of capillary-to-electrode distance and larger-area electrode are a benefit to CE-ECL. In addition, this system has been applied to separation and detection of acephate and dimethoate. The results indicated that the present CE-ECL system coupled with heated modified-electrode could provide high sensitivity, wide linear range, satisfying linear relationship and excellent reproducibility.     

Capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection: fundamental theory,apparatus, and applications

This review presents a comprehensive survey of recent progress on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE). The fundamental theories involved in CE-ECL, e.g., the mechanism involving both coreactant-based and inhibitor-based ECL, as well as the possible analytes to be detected by CE-ECL are summarized. Different schemes for the construction of CE-ECL apparatus, including methods for preparing the working electrode, approaches for addition of ECL reagents, ways to fabricate electrical decouplers, and factors affecting ECL efficiency are reviewed. Discussion of the literature related to the application of CE-ECL from January 2005 to September 2010 is sorted by the corresponding analyte matrixes, namely, the standard solution, urine, serum and plasma, and other matrixes. Finally, possible trends for CE-ECL in the near future are discussed.     

Electrochemical synthesis of layered manganese oxides intercalated with tetraalkylammonium ions

Thin films of birnessite-type layered manganese oxides with various interlayer spacings have been prepared on a platinum electrode by a one-step electrochemical procedure. The process involves a potentiostatic oxidation of aqueous Mn(2+) ions at around +1.0 V (Ag/AgCl) in the presence of tetraalkylammonium cations with different alkyl chain lengths. X-ray diffraction indicates that the films deposited with tetrabutylammonium (TBA), tetrapropylammonium (TPA), and tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions are composed of a single phase where unhydrated tetraalkylammonium ions are accommodated as a monolayer between manganese oxide layers. The interlayer spacing of the products increases in an order of TEA < TPA < TBA. The film deposited with tetramethylammonium (TMA) is a mixture of two phases relating to hydrated and unhydrated guest cations, the former being predominant probably as a result of less hydrophobic property of TMA compared to that of other tetraalkylammonium ions. The TBA(+)-intercalated Mn oxide film-coated electrode exhibits a good charge/discharge property in a KCl solution between 0 and +0.8 V. In this case, TBA(+) ions between the Mn oxide layers are rapidly replaced with K(+) in solution by ion exchange, accompanying a shrinkage of the interlayer. The incorporated K(+) ions as well as protons play an important role in the electrochemical conversion between Mn(4+) and Mn(3+) in the oxide layer. In the TBACl solution, the interlayer TBA(+) ions can be excluded electrochemically during the positive-going scan, concomitant with the oxidation of Mn(3+) sites. This causes an anodic current and the accompanying shrinkage of the interlayer. On the reverse scan, however, the compressed interlayer does not allow the incorporation of bulky TBA(+) ions from the electrolyte, with virtually no cathodic current observed. Such an obvious difference in electrochemical behavior between the two electrolytes can be recognized by considering that most of the Mn oxide surface is present inside the layered structure, not on the external surface. This indicates that the layered structure is formed over the entire film.     

Electrochemiluminescence analysis of folate receptors on cell membrane with on-chip bipolar electrode

In this paper we report a transparent bipolar electrode based microfluidic chip-electrochemiluminescence (ECL) system for sensitive detection of folate receptors (FR) on cell membranes. This integrated system consists of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layer containing a microchannel and a glass bottom sheet with indium tin oxide (ITO) strips as bipolar detectors. The ITO strips are fabricated using a PDMS micromold with carbon ink as a protective layer in place of traditional photoresist. The configuration of the bipolar electrode has great influence on the ECL intensity of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)/tripropylamine(TPA) system. Further studies show that folic acid (FA) can strongly inhibit the ECL of the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)/TPA system. Based on specific recognition between FA and FR on cell membrane, this microfluidic chip-ECL system is successfully applied for detecting the level of FR on human cervical tumor (HL-60) cells and MEF cells. It is found that the ECL intensity increases with the number of HL-60 cells in the range of 21 to 3.28 × 10(4) cells/mL. The average level of FR on HL-60 cells is calculated to be 8.05 ± 0.75 × 10(-18) mol/cell. While for MEF cells, it shows a much slower ECL increment than HL-60 cells due to the much lower FR level on MEF cells (5.30 ± 0.61 × 10(-19) mol/cell). Moreover, exocytosis of FA after FR mediated endocytosis was observed according to the change of the ECL signal with the incubation time of HL-60 cells in the FA- Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)/TPA system.     

Development and application of an electrochemiluminescent flow-injection cell based on CdTe quantum dots modified electrode for high sensitive determination of dopamine

A nano-liter sized flow-cell is developed for constructing a flow injection analysis (FIA) system with electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection. A sensitive ECL electrode is applied as the working electrode in this flow-cell. It is obtained by immobilizing the composite of CdTe quantum dots (QDs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and chitosan (Chit) on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. The CdTe QDs were synthesized in our lab and possessed a high quantum yield. It has been demonstrated as an efficient anodic ECL material with the triethylamine (TEA) as the co-reactant. The flow-cell gives the stable ECL background under optimized conditions for parameters such as electrolytic pulse, concentration of TEA and flow rate, etc. The sensitive ECL quenching response of dopamine (DA) is realized on this FIA system within the linear range from 10 pM to 4 nM and a detection limit as low as 3.6 pM. It is practically used to determine the neurotransmitters in cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) with DA as the index and with an average recovery of 94%.     

Using stannous ion as an excellent inorganic ECL coreactant for tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II)

It was found that stannous chloride (SnCl(2)), as a popular inorganic reducing reagent, could obviously enhance the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) in aqueous solution. Some factors affecting the ECL reactions between Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and Sn(2+), including pH, concentrations of coreactant, and electrode materials, were investigated by comparison with a classic ECL coreactant tripropylamine (TPA). The Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-Sn(2+) ECL coreactant system produces stronger and more stable ECL signals, can keep its excellent ECL activity over a wider pH range and has more choices in using electrode materials than the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-TPA ECL coreactant system. The ECL mechanism of the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-Sn(2+) coreactant system was also studied in detail.     

Electrochemiluminescence from Ru(bpy)3 immobilized in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate)-poly(vinyl alcohol) composite films

Electrochemical behavior and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) immobilized in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate)-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PEDOT/PSS-PVA) composite films via ion-exchange have been investigated with tripropylamine (TPA) as the co-reactant at a glassy carbon electrode. The immobilized Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ performed a surface-controlled electrode reaction. The Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ modified electrode showed a fast ECL response to TPA, and was used for the ECL detection of TPA with high sensitivity. The ECL intensity was linearly related to concentrations of TPA over the range from 0.50 μmol L⁻¹ to 0.80 mmol L⁻¹, and the detection limit was 0.10 μmol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The as-prepared electrode exhibited good precision and long-term stability for TPA determination.     

Analysis of ethambutol and methoxyphenamine by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection method for the analysis of ethambutol (EB) and methoxyphenamine (MP) has been investigated. Complete separation of EB and MP was achieved in 8 min using a background electrolyte of 20 mM sodium phosphate at pH 10.0 and a separation voltage of 9 kV. ECL detection was performed with an indium/tin oxide (ITO) working electrode biased at 1.4 V (versus a Pt wire reference) in a 200 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) containing 3.5 mM Ru(bpy)3(2+) (where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl). Linear correlation (r > or = 0.993) between ECL intensity and drug concentration was obtained in the range 2-50 ng/ml. The limits of detection (LODs) for EB and MP in water were 1.0 and 0.9 ng/ml, respectively. The relative standard deviation values on peak size (10 ng/ml level) and migration time for the two drugs were in the ranges 5-8 and 0.2-0.7% (n = 7), respectively. Applicability of the CE-ECL method to the analysis of human plasma spiked with EB and MP was examined. The LODs for EB and MP in plasma were 0.4 and 0.3 microg/ml, respectively.     

毛细管电泳-电化学发光法测定盐酸曲马多制剂及血浆中曲马多

采用毛细管电泳结合柱末电化学发光检测器提出了测定盐酸曲马多制剂及血浆中曲马多含量的方法。检测的原理系基于曲马多分子中的叔氨基对在pH9的磷酸盐缓冲介质中钌联吡啶络离子[Ru(Bpy)23+]与溶解氧在铂盘工作电极上反应的电化学发光的增强作用。对毛细管电泳及电化学发光检测的试验条件进行了优化。在优化的试验条件下,制剂中曲马多在1.0×10-8～7.0×10-6mol.L-1,血浆中曲马多在2.0×10-7～6.0×10-6mol.L-1范围内呈线性,检出限(3S/N)分别为7.0×10-9mol.L-1和1.0×10-7mol.L-1。采用该方法对盐酸曲马多制剂和血浆中曲马多的浓度分别进行了测定,所得平均回收率分别为98.9%和89.9%。     

Solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor based on the Nafion/poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) composite film

An effective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on Nafion/poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) composite film-modified ITO electrode was developed. The Nafion/PSS/Ru composite film was characterized by atomic force microscopy, UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy and electrochemical experiments. The Nafion/PSS composite film could effectively immobilize tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) via ion-exchange and electrostatic interaction. The ECL behavior of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ immobilized in Nafion/PSS composite film was investigated using tripropylamine (TPA) as an analyte. The detection limit (S/N = 3) for TPA at the Nafion/PSS/Ru composite-modified electrode was estimated to be 3.0 nM, which is 3 orders of magnitude lower than that obtained at the Nafion/Ru modified electrode. The Nafion/PSS/Ru composite film-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode also exhibited good ECL stability. In addition, this kind of immobilization approach was simple, effective, and timesaving.     

Electrochemiluminescence of Ru(II) complexes immobilized on a magnetic microbead surface: distribution of magnetic microbeads on the electrode surface and effect of azide ion

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of magnetic microbeads modified with tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(bpy)3]2+) was studied in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPA) to develop highly sensitive ECL detection system, where the employed microbead has a diameter of 4.5 microm. The ECL signal of the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ derivative-modified magnetic microbeads was found to be affected by the geometrical distribution of the magnetic microbeads on the electrode surface. The ECL peak intensity increased with increasing the number of the beads on the electrode surfaces up to 1.6 x 10(6) beads cm(-2), although above 1.6 x 10(6) beads cm(-2), it decreased. The ECL decrease arises from the physical prevention of the ECL from reaching the photomultiplier tube by the excessive beads. The observed peak ECL signal of the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ derivative-modified magnetic microbeads in the presence of NaN3, which serves as a preservative substance, mainly appeared at a potential of +0.90 V vs Ag/AgCl where [Ru(bpy)3]2+ is hardly oxidized, whereas the ECL signal in the absence of NaN3 appeared at a potential of +1.15 V. The presence of NaN3 on the electrode surface retards formation of an oxide layer on the electrode surfaces and promotes TPA oxidation. The ECL response at +0.90 V was mainly attributed to ECL reaction of excited-state [Ru(bpy)3]2+* formed by oxidation of [Ru(bpy)3]+ with TPA radical cation, where the [Ru(bpy)3]+ was generated by reduction of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ with TPA radical.     

Immobilization of tris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium with graphene oxide for electrochemiluminescent analysis

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of ruthenium complexes has broad applications and the immobilization of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ has received extensive attention. In comparison with Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, Ru(phen)₃²⁺ can be immobilized more easily because of its better adsorbability. In this study, immobilization of Ru(phen)₃²⁺ for ECL analysis has been demonstrated for the first time by using graphene oxide (GO) as an immobilization matrix. The immobilization of Ru(phen)₃²⁺ is achieved easily by mixing Ru(phen)₃²⁺ with GO without using any ion exchange polymer or covalent method. The strong binding of Ru(phen)₃²⁺ with GO is attributed to both the π–π stacking interaction and the electrostatic interaction. The Ru(phen)₃²⁺/GO modified electrode was characterized by using tripropylamine (TPA) as the coreactant. The linear range of TPA is from 3 × 10⁻⁷ to 3 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with the detection limit of 3 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The ECL sensor demonstrates outstanding long-term stability. After the storage in the ambient environment for 90 days, the ECL response remains comparable with its original signal.     

Electrochemiluminescence of Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium with Various Co‐reactants under Ultrasound Irradiation

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium, Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ in the presence of various co‐reactants, such as tripropylamine (TPA), oxalate ion (C₂O₄^2?), ascorbic acid (H₂A) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), were investigated under ultrasound irradiation. In sono‐ECL experiments, an indium‐thin‐oxide (ITO) was used as working electrode, and a titanium tipped sonic horn probe (diameter 2 mm) which operated at a frequency of 20 kHz was set in the front of the ITO electrode. Under the ultrasound irradiation, ECL signals were found to be significantly enhanced when TPA and C₂O₄^2? were used as co‐reactants, only slightly enhanced in Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/DHA system, but total quenched in Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/H₂A system. The difference of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL behaviors for various co‐reactant could to be due to the different kinetics of catalytic reactions associated in ECL schemes. ECL quenching effect observed in Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/H₂A system was suggested to be due to electron transfer (ET) route between the excited state *Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and ascorbate anion HA^? diffused from the bulk solution, where the diffusional HA^? species served as electron donor. The effect becomes more pronounced upon sonication because the effective collision frequency between *Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and HA^? would be significantly increased by the enhanced mass transport effect of ultrasound.     

One pot synthesis of Ru(bpy)_3~(2+) doped graphene oxide-silica composite film for constructing high performance solid-state electrochemiluminescent sensor

The Ru(bpy)_3~(2+) doped graphene oxide-silica composite film(Ru/GO-SiCF) was synthesized by one pot hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS) in the water-alcohol solution of graphene oxide and Ru(bpy)_3~(2+) at room temperature.The prepared Ru/GO-SiCF modified glassy carbon electrode(GCE) showed excellent electrochemiluminescence(ECL) behavior for the determination of tripropylamine(TPA) with high sensitivity and good stability.We expected this simple and novel material will find further application in construction of other targets sensors.     

A Novel Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence (ECL) Sensor Based on Ru(bpy)32+‐Doped Titania Nanoparticles Dispersed in Nafion on Glassy Carbon Electrode

A novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on Ru(bpy)₃²⁺‐doped titania (RuDT) nanoparticles dispersed in a perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed in this paper. The electroactive component‐Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ was entrapped within the titania nanoparticles by the inverse microemulsion polymerization process that produced spherical sensors in the size region of 38±3 nm. The RuDT nanoparticles were characterized by electrochemical, transmission electron and scanning microscopy technology. The Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ encapsulation interior of the titania nanoparticles maintains its ECL efficiency and also reduces Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ leaching from the titania matrix when immersed in water due to the electrostatic interaction. This is the first attempt to prepare the RuDT nanoparticles and extend the application of electroactive component‐doped nanoparticles into the field of ECL. Since a large amount of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ was immobilized three‐dimensionally on the electrode, the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL signal could be enhanced greatly, which finally resulted in the increased sensitivity. The ECL analytical performance of this ECL sensor for tripropylamine (TPA) was investigated in detail. This sensor shows a detection limit of 1 nmol/L for TPA. Furthermore, the present ECL sensor displays outstanding long‐term stability.