Electrogenerated chemiluminescence in SiO2 sol-gel polymer composites

Composites composed of a Ru-bpy-derivatized polystyrene polymer [PS-(CH2CH2 NHCO-(Ru-II)(18)]Cl-36 in SiO2 sol-gels have been prepared and deposited as thin films on the surface of transparent ITO electrodes. When exposed to a n aqueous solution of Na2C2O4, the composite films yield a bright-orange el ectrochemiluminescence, upon potential step from 0 V to potentials greater than or equal to + 1.0 V (versus SSCE). Intense electroluminescence, observ able by eye under ambient lighting, was also observed in acetonitrile upon rapid potential pulsing beyond the oxidation and first reduction potential of the complex.