Multichannel electrochemiluminescence of luminol in neutral and alkaline aqueous solutions on a gold nanoparticle self-assembled electrode

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) behavior of luminol on a gold nanoparticle self-assembled electrode in neutral and alkaline pH conditions was studied under conventional cyclic voltammetry (CV). The gold nanoparticle self-assembled electrode exhibitied excellent electrocatalytic property and redox reactivity to the luminol ECL system. In neutral solution, four ECL peaks were observed at 0.69, 1.03, -0.45, and -1.22 V (vs SCE) on the curve of ECL intensity versus potential. Compared with a bulk gold electrode, two anodic and one cathodic ECL peaks were greatly enhanced, and one new cathodic ECL peak appeared. In alkaline solution, two anodic ECL peaks were obtained at 0.69 and 1.03 V, which were much stronger than those on a bulk gold electrode. These ECL peaks were found to depend on gold nanoparticles on the surface of the electrode, potential scan direction and range, the presence of O-2 or N-2, the pH and concentration of luminol solution, NaBr concentration, and scan rate. The emitter of all ECL peaks was identified as 3-aminophthalate by analyzing the ECL spectra. The spatial distribution of the luminol ECL peaks on the gold nanoparticle self-assembled electrode was studied by CCD. The surface state of the gold nanoparticle self-assembled electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-visible reflection spectra. The mechanism for the formation of these ECL peaks has been proposed. The results indicate that the gold nanoparticle self-assembled electrode could lead to novel ECL properties, and strong luminol ECL in neutral and alkaline solutions could be obtained on such an electrode, which is of great analytical potential.