Enhanced electrochemiluminescence from Os(phen)2(dppene)2+ (phen=1,10-phenanthroline and dppene=bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene) in the presence of Triton X-100 (polyethylene glycol tertoctylphenyl ether)

The effects of the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 (polyethylene glycol tert-octylphenyl ether) on the properties of Os(phen)2(dppene)2+ (phen=1,10phenanthroline and dppene=bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) have been investigated. The anodic oxidation of Os(phen)2(dppene)2+ produces ECL in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) in aqueous surfactant solution. Increases in ECL efficiency (>=3-fold) and TPrA oxidation current (>=2.0fold) have been observed in surfactant media with experiments supporting adsorption of surfactant on the electrode surface.