Electrochemiluminescence electrode
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a bipolar electrode useful for ECL assays and a method for using the same.
1. A method for detecting an electrochemiluminescent analyte comprising:
(a) contacting an electrochemiluminescent analyte with a bipolar electrode, wherein the bipolar electrode comprises an electrically conductive first arm, an electrically conductive second arm, and an electrical switch disposed therebetween;
(b) applying an electric field sufficient to initiate an electrochemiluminescent reaction in the analyte at the bipolar electrode;
(c) closing the switch;
(d) monitoring for electrochemiluminescence from the analyte;
(e) opening the switch; and
(f) repeating at least steps (c) through (e);
wherein the switch is closed and opened in a cycle that inhibits bubble formation on at least one of the first arm or the second arm.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemiluminescent analyte is contacted with the bipolar electrode using a capillary electrophoresis apparatus.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the electric field is applied using the capillary electrophoresis apparatus.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the capillary electrophoresis apparatus further comprises a photodetector for monitoring for electrochemiluminescence.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemiluminescent analyte comprises tris-(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium +3 .
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising contacting the tris-(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium +3 with tripropylamine radical.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the switch is controlled by a microprocessor or a microcontroller.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first arm and the second arm is at least about 20 μm.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first arm or the second arm comprises platinum.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first arm or the second arm comprises a material that resists bubble formation.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the potential window for the material in aqueous medium is at least about 1.5 V.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the material is boron-doped diamond.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the material absorbs hydrogen.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the material is palladium.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the material is a metal oxide that absorbs oxygen.
16. A method for detecting an electrochemiluminescent analyte comprising:
(a) contacting an electrochemiluminescent analyte with a bipolar electrode, wherein the bipolar electrode comprises an electrically conductive first arm, an electrically conductive second arm, and an electrical switch disposed therebetween;
(b) applying an electric field sufficient to initiate an electrochemiluminescent reaction in the analyte at the bipolar electrode;
(c) closing the switch;
(d) monitoring for electrochemiluminescence from the analyte;
(e) opening the switch; and
(f) repeating at least steps (c) through (e);
wherein the switch is closed and opened in a cycle that releases charged species accumulated on or around at least one of the first arm or the second arm.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electrochemiluminescent analyte is contacted with the bipolar electrode using a capillary electrophoresis apparatus.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the electric field is applied using the capillary electrophoresis apparatus.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the capillary electrophoresis apparatus further comprises a photodetector for monitoring for electrochemiluminescence.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electrochemiluminescent analyte comprises tris-(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium +3 .
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising contacting the tris-(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium +3 with tripropylamine radical.
22. The method of claim 16 , wherein the switch is controlled by a microprocessor or a microcontroller.
23. The method of claim 16 , wherein the distance between the first arm and the second arm is at least about 20 μm.
24. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first arm or the second arm comprises platinum.
25. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first arm or the second arm comprises a material that resists bubble formation.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the potential window for the material in aqueous medium is at least about 1.5 V.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the material is boron-doped diamond.
28. The method of claim 25 , wherein the material absorbs hydrogen.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the material is palladium.
30. The method of claim 25 , wherein the material is a metal oxide that absorbs oxygen.