Electrochemiluminescence: Digging into the Past and Illuminating the Future

Despite its discovery in the 1960’s electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has only in recent years seen an increased popularity within the wider analytical community. This can be largely correlated to the improvements in technology within the last decade which have facilitated the reduction in instrument size and complexity, so much so that today the technique can be performed through modification of a smartphone device. As such, ECL can now be considered a powerful addition to the analytical toolbox, with ever expanding reach of the technique into new areas of analytical science. This research aims to further expand the understanding of potential utilisation of the technique by displaying its fundamental success for applications into previously underrepresented or unique fields. Through the combination of screen printed electrodes with different metal luminophores and modification strategies a number of sensing systems, building upon the traditional ruthenium based devices, has been achieved. Preliminary research has displayed, through the unique characteristics offered by ECL, successful application to the archeological, horticultural, and veterinary fields. Each sample type offered unique challenges, with the final outcome offering an in-field compatible and potentially non-destructive analysis method. Further attributes include minimal sample preparation procedures and volumes alongside simplistic operation and interpretation further enhancing its usability making it an ideal candidate for non-experts or indeed electrochemists. Here we display exciting opportunities for the expansion of not only of ECL but electro-analytical devices toward a range of unusual and unique environments. Such areas have either minimal or no past experience in the utilisation of ECL for direct target analysis, and as such we hope to successfully demonstrate its capabilities. Through promotion of the versatility of the technique into new arenas we hope to drive forward the expansion of ECL both within the analytical community but also beyond, by sparking interesting in this fundamentally promising technique from outwith the electrochemical and ECL communities.