Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) Detection of Ammonium Ion Based on a Novel Iridium Complex Modified Electrode

We report that ammonium ion, as its organic amine counterparts, can be sensitively detected as a coreactant in the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) reaction of a novel iridium complex (pq)₂Ir(N-phMA), where pq is 2-phenylquinoline anion and N-phMA is N-phenylmethacrylamide. The modified ECL electrode was fabricated by casting deposition of a homogeneous MWNTs/PVA/(pq)₂Ir(N-phMA) dispersion solution onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. The electrode responds sensitively to ammonium ion in a wide concentration range. Two regression equations were established: Y = 0.7016X + 46.8 (R² = 0.9985) and Y = 0.2565X + 174.2 (R² = 0.9991) for the concentration from 1–180 nM and 180–1800 nM, respectively. The limit of detection was as low as 0.13 nM (S/N = 3).