ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENT Meaning and
Definition
-
Electrochemiluminescent refers to a process in which light is emitted as a result of an electrochemical reaction. This term combines the elements "electro" (relating to electricity or electrical phenomena), "chemi" (related to chemicals or chemistry), and "luminescent" (giving off light). Specifically, electrochemiluminescence involves the generation of light by passing an electrical current through a chemical system.
In electrochemiluminescent assays, a combination of chemical components is used to produce light when an electrical potential is applied. Typically, this involves a luminescent compound or molecule, an oxidizing agent, and a reducing agent. When voltage is applied, an oxidation process occurs at one electrode, while a reduction process occurs at the other electrode. This leads to the formation of excited states in the luminescent compound, which subsequently emit light as they return to their ground state.
The phenomenon of electrochemiluminescence has practical applications in various fields, particularly in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and medical diagnostics. It is commonly used in immunoassays and DNA detection techniques, where the emitted light is measured and quantified to determine the presence or concentration of specific substances. Electrochemiluminescent systems offer several advantages, such as high sensitivity, broad dynamic range, and good reproducibility. They are also relatively quick and easy to perform.
Etymology of ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENT
The word "electrochemiluminescent" is formed from a combination of multiple roots:
1. "Electro-" is derived from the Greek word "ēlektron", which means amber or amber-like substance. It is also related to the concept of electricity.
2. "Chemiluminescent" is formed from the combination of "chemi-" and "luminescent".
- "Chemi-" is derived from the Greek word "khēmeia", meaning transmutation or transformation, which itself refers to alchemy or chemistry.
- "Luminescent" is derived from the Latin word "lumen", which means light.
Therefore, the term "electrochemiluminescent" conveys the meaning of light emission resulting from chemical reactions under the influence of electricity.
