Recent Advances in Visual Electrochemiluminescence Analysis

Due to the advantages of low background interference and high sensitivity, electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based sensor has developed rapidly in recent years. The ECL sensors have shown the potential in the ultrasensitive and real-time analysis. Especially, the visual ECL analysis, including visual detection, cell imaging and single particle analysis, has offered many unique sensing platforms for analysis research and point-of-care testing. The high throughput ECL image analysis can not only provide ECL intensity but also reveal more information about the chemical reaction activity of particle and the physiological processes of cell operation. Therefore, we review the novel ECL luminophore, sensing systems, and successful applications in the visual ECL detection and imaging in this paper. First, the different ECL luminophore is summarized. Second, we discuss the ECL sensing mechanisms, focusing on the advantages and limitations of different sensing methods. Then, we highlight the recent advances in representative examples of visual ECL analysis, including aptasensing, multiplex immunoassays, cell imaging and single-particle analysis. At last, the outlook and prospects for the future visual ECL analysis are discussed based on the current development of ECL research.