Cloth and Paper-Based Miniaturized Electrochemiluminescence Platforms

Abstract

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is defined as the process of transforming electrochemical energy into radiative energy by applying a voltage to ignite an electrochemical reaction. The ECL-based sensing approach amalgamates the benefits of both chemiluminescence and electrochemistry, which includes high selectivity with no or minimum background and a varied linear range of operation. Recently, paper and cloth-based miniaturized ECL biomolecule diagnostic devices have gathered significant attention from researchers because of their unique advantages and applications. Such low-cost ECL devices, based on paper and cloth, are amenable to providing the best alternative to costly, time-consuming laboratory-based biomolecule diagnostics. These devices offer distinctive benefits, including high sensitivity and specificity, fast response, low sample volume requirement, self-pumping to avoid external pumping, easily disposable, and the ability to be synchronized with ECL platforms. Such facets have led them to be leveraged in diversified applications such as environmental and health monitoring, food monitoring and molecular analysis.