Jiajia Gao, Yong Yu, Wei Peng Goh, Hwee Leng Debbie Seng, Changyun Jiang, and Le Yang. (2024). Unlocking Bright and Switchable Dimeric Singlet Oxygen Electrochemiluminescence by Surface Engineering.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2024 16 (39), 53273-53284
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c12236
Abstract:
Visible electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of singlet oxygen (1O2) from the dimeric 1Δg state is a versatile and cost-efficient tool for sensing and imaging in various application fields such as biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, and material science. However, its implementation is hindered by weak emission and complex generation mechanisms. In this work, we enable a bright and switchable dimeric 1O2 ECL through facile yet effective surface engineering strategies on a screen-printed carbon electrode in aqueous media. Specifically, we complement a stepwise potential procedure with a pre-cathodic process to switch on the anodic 1O2 ECL and unravel how the in-situ electrochemical pre-treatments remarkably amplify the ECL intensity by modifying the surface oxygenates and promoting the 1O2-generating reactions. Additionally, ex-situ oxygen plasma treatment on the electrode surface, which switches off the 1O2 ECL, further demonstrates the surface specificity of 1O2 ECL from another perspective. Leveraging these surface strategies, we establish a sensing capability of 1O2 ECL system with high sensitivity and selectivity towards tertiary amines. This work paves the way for translating laboratory-scale 1O2-ECL system to portable and patternable sensing, imaging and display applications.
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Publisher Copyright
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the National Research Foundation - National Research Foundation Fellowship
Grant Reference no. : NRF-NRFF15-2023-0011
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - RIE2025 Manufacturing, Trade, and Connectivity (MTC) Programmatic Fund
Grant Reference no. : M24M9b0013
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - Central Research Fund
Grant Reference no. :