Advantage of an AC-driven electrochemiluminescent cell containing a Ru(bpy)32+ complex for quick response and high efficiency

Abstract

An AC voltage-driven electrochemiluminescent (ECL) device containing a ruthenium(II) complex as luminescent species was fabricated, and advantages of the AC-driven method such as electrochemical and emission response were studied. The cell can be easily fabricated by simply placing the emitting solution between electrodes. The emission turn-on response time and emission intensity were dramatically improved by introducing the AC method. The turn-on response time was speeded up by increasing applied frequency. 4 ms was achieved at 200 Hz, which was much faster than the DC method (1.5 s). The current efficiency for the emission was estimated to be 0.59 cd A⁻¹. The mechanism of the improved ECL properties was discussed from a viewpoint of electrochemical reaction.