Determination of amino acids by Ru(bpy)32+ cathodic electrochemiluminescence with high sensitivity

Abstract

The unique cathodic electrochemiluminescence(ECL) emission of Ru(bpy)32+(bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) was observed via Nafion film at Au electrode[Au/Nafion/Ru(bpy)32+] at about 0.20 V(vs. Ag/AgCl) and applied to the determination of several amino acids without prior derivatization with high sensitivity. The cathodic electrochemiluminescence(ECL) exhibits the detection limits and linear ranges of several amino acids comparable to or better than those of capillary electrophoresis with conventional ECL detection method(at 1.10—1.20 V vs. Ag/AgCl) based on precolumn derivatization. The results suggest that the cathodic ECL is promising for the detection of amino acids in bioanalysis.