Tuning the electrochemiluminescence potential from immobilised BODIPY by co-reactant selection

• Cysteamine linked BODIPY films on platinum generate significant electrochemiluminescence.
• Potential at which electrochemiluminescence occurs can be controlled by the co-reactant.
• Electrochemiluminescence can be generated for adsorbates close to a metal surface.

A thin film of the novel surface active ECL luminophore, 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene, BODIPY, is used to demonstrate that the ECL turn on potential can be controlled through the identity of the co-reactant. The films were very stable when in contact with organic solvents and surface coverages of 1-2 nmol cm− 2 are observed. Significantly, the potential at which ECL is generated is dictated by the identity of the co-reactant, either benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which opens new avenues for multi-analyte detection by changing the identity of the co-reactant rather than the dye.