Development of a Novel Jet Detection Cell for Electrochemiluminescence Analysis

A new type of jet detection cell for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) analysis was designed in which samples are jetted on an electrode through a small, fixed steel needle on the front of the working electrode. Under the optimal conditions, the logarithm of electrochemiluminescence intensity was directly proportional to the concentration of tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) from 10−10 to 10−5 molar with a limit of detection equal to 5 × 10−11 molar. The relative standard deviation for 10−8 molar was 1.2 percent for eleven replicate measurements. The analytical figures of merit were improved compared to conventional static detection and the detection limit of was reduced by approximately one order of magnitude. This method offers low sample consumption, rapid analysis, and easy cleaning, making it suitable for immunoassays and DNA assays.