Apparatus for mechanistic and analytical studies of the electrogenerated chemiluminescence of luminol

A new apparatus based on the rotating ring—disc electrode system is described. The symmetric double-step potential is connected to the ring electrode to oxidize luminol, while the disc electrode is maintained at a negative potential to reduce oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. Because of the electrode rotation, hydrogen peroxide is immediately transported to the ring electrode at which it reacts with luminol oxidation product to emit light. Preliminary electrogenerated chemiluminescence measurements indicate that the intensity of the chemiluminescence of luminol is highly dependent on the ring and disc electrode materials and that some metal ions have a catalytic or inhibitive effect on this luminescence reaction of luminol.