Zhang Yifei, Gao Dexin, Yang Hongye, Gao Wenyue, Wu Chi
Shandong Provincial Center for In-Situ Marine Sensors, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
Shandong Provincial Center for In-Situ Marine Sensors, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
Anal Chim Acta. 2024 Oct 2;1324:343097. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.343097. Epub 2024 Aug 12.
Electrochemiluminescence (ECL), as a unique and powerful analytical technique, has been widely used in various fields. The determination of ECL spectra plays a crucial role in understanding ECL reaction mechanisms and conducting spectra-resolved ECL analysis. ECL intensity is typically detected using a photomultiplier tube, which offers high sensitivity for detecting extremely weak light signals but does not allow for spectral identification. Due to the time-dependent variation of ECL intensity caused by the applied potential and electrochemical reaction processes, it is challenging to perform ECL spectral detection using conventional wavelength-scanning spectrometers.
In this study, we present a straightforward and cost-effective ECL spectral detection strategy by incorporating an automatically controlled tunable optical filter device between a commonly used PMT detector and a specially designed ECL reaction cell. The effectiveness of this approach was confirmed through initial validation, where the spectrum of a green LED spotlight was measured and compared with a commercial spectrometer. In a dynamic system with stable ECL signals, the ECL spectrum of the typical Ru(bpy)/TPA system was rapidly acquired by adjusting the bandpass filters. To account for time-varying ECL signals in practical measurements, time-based correction algorithms were implemented to rectify variations in ECL intensity. By integrating time-based correction algorithms and an automatically controlled tunable optical filter device into a commonly utilized PMT detector, the rapid and sensitive ECL spectra determination was achieved. Experimental results demonstrated the reliability of the proposed strategy.
This strategy is based on the widely used high-sensitivity PMT detection component, enabling the rapid and sensitive measurement of ECL spectra without altering the ECL detection hardware. It is simple, fast, efficient, and cost-effective, with the potential to be widely used for rapid ECL spectral detection and spectra-resolved ECL analysis.
