Electrochemistry in microgels

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a process of light emission by the excited state of a luminophore, which results from an initial electrochemical reaction at the electrode.

In collaboration with Pr. N. Sojic, we have developped micro-/nanogels functionalized with an ECL emitter, a ruthenium complex. The nanogels are both photoluminescent and electrochemiluminescent. 

Using thermoresponsive nanogels, we have demonstrated for the first time that the ECL is strongly amplified at the volume phase transition (up to 2 orders of magnitude !), in spite of a blocked diffusion of free redox species that could be used as co-reactants. The process is general and can be applied to other stimuli, such as glucose concentration.

We have also studied hydrogel films, which were prepared by electrochemically-assisted radical polymerization. Bipolar electrochemistry could be applied to prepare Janus objects modified on one side by a responsive hydrogel layer.