Fabrication of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-titanate nanotube nanocomposite and its application as sensitive solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor material

A novel and facile method for effective immobilization of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) within titanate nanotubes (TiNTs) and its application as a sensitive solid-state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor material was studied. The process involved the formation of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-titanate nanotube nanocomposite (Ru-TiNTs) via electrostatic interactions by mixing TiNTs and Ru(bpy)(3)(ClO4)(2) in aqueous medium. Then Ru-TiNTs were attached to the surface of a Pt electrode to form an ECL sensor. Characterization of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-titanate nanotube nanocomposite was accomplished by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrum, and field emission scanning electron microscope. The electrochemistry and ECL behavior of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) immobilized on TiNTs were studied with tripropylamine as a coreactant. As-prepared Ru-TiNTs exhibited very good stability and Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) species contained showed excellent ECL behavior. Therefore, the as-prepared Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-titanate nanotube nanocomposite exhibited great promise as new luminescent materials for solid-state ECL detection. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.