Design strategies and applications of electrochemiluminescence from metal nanoclusters

Metal nanoclusters have recently gained significant attention in the field of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) due to their unique redox properties as well as optical properties, holding great potential for applications in biosensors, devices, and diagnostics. Constrained by complex pumping kinetics, elusive oxidant–reductant interactions, and the unclear non-radiative transition mechanism, the ECL efficiency is often unsatisfactory thus significantly affecting their sensitivity, stability, and functionality. This review aims to summarize the efforts made to raise the ECL efficiency, providing new ideas and insights for a deeper exploration of metal nanocluster ECL.