The mechanism of the electrogenerated chemiluminescence of luminol in aqueous alkaline solution

The mechanism of the electrogenerated chemiluminescence of luminol in aqueous alkaline solution based on the rotating ring—disc electrode system is discussed. The disc electrode is maintained at a negative potential and the ring electrode at a symmetrically changing double-step potential. Hydrogen peroxide generated at the disc electrode by the reduction of oxygen is immediately transported to the ring electrode because of electrode rotation. Hydrogen peroxide and luminol are oxidized at the ring electrode during the positive pulse of the double-step potential. These oxidation processes generate a superoxide radical and a luminol radical as intermediates. The luminol radical reacts with the superoxide radical (or oxygen) emitting light.