Electrochemistry and electrochemiluminescence for the host–guest system laponite–tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)

The cationic luminescence probe, tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) complex ([Ru(bpy)3]2+), was incorporated into laponite-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via two strategies, namely, the adsorption and intercalation methods. These two incorporation methods resulted in different microenvironment for the immobilized [Ru(bpy)3]2+ within laponite as well as the different host–guest and guest–guest interactions. Herein, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) were innovatively performed to monitor the interactions. Tripropylamine (TPA) was used as coreactant in the electrochemical and ECL system.