Fabrication of Ru(bpy)32+-titanate nanotube nanocomposite and its application as sensitive solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor material Original Research Article

A novel and facile method for effective immobilization of Ru(bpy)32+ 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)32+-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)32+-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)32+ immobilized on TiNTs were studied with tripropylamine as a coreactant. As-prepared Ru-TiNTs exhibited very good stability and Ru(bpy)32+ species contained showed excellent ECL behavior. Therefore, the as-prepared Ru(bpy)32+-titanate nanotube nanocomposite exhibited great promise as new luminescent materials for solid-state ECL detection.