Electrochemistry, photochemistry and sensors
Hogan group
Group leader
Dr Conor Hogan
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering
Research in our group is focused on expanding the bounds of analytical chemistry. We seek to develop new chemistries and new technologies which will result in exquisitely low detection limits, enhanced selectivity and miniaturised instruments which can be used outside of the laboratory setting. Our research is supported by LIEF Infrastructure and discovery grants from the ARC.
Dr Conor Hogan
Mobile phone-based sensors for the developing world
Ultra-low-cost paper microfluidic sensors produced by ink jet printing were used for electrochemiluminescence-based detection for the first time. Significantly we demonstrated that the electrochemically initiated emission could be captured using a mobile camera phone and used as the basis for quantitation.
See: Delaney, J.L.; C.F. Hogan; J.F. Tian; W. Shen, Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Detection in Paper-Based Microfluidic Sensors. Analytical Chemistry, 2011. 83(4): p. 1300-1306.
Tuning luminescent emission colour via electrode potential
ECL in 3D: We have demonstrated that selective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of several Ruthenium and Iridium complexes simultaneously in solution can be controlled by electrode potential. These luminescent redox systems create a range of new possibilities for multianalyte ECL detection, assessment of interdependent electrochemical/ spectroscopic properties, and colour tuning in light-emitting devices.
View the video below to see real-time footage of electrochemically modulated emission colour during a voltametric scan.
See: Doeven EH, Zammit EM, Barbante GJ, Hogan CF, Barnett NW, Francis PS. Selective Excitation of Concomitant Electrochemiluminophores: Tuning Emission Color by Electrode Potential Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. In press 2012, 51. [Chosen as a 'Hot Paper' by the editors 'for its importance in a rapidly evolving field of high current interest'].
Control of luminescence colour using applied voltage
Real-time footage of electrochemically modulated emission colour during a voltametric scan.
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Synthesis and sensing applications of highly luminescent complexes of Ruthenium, Iridium and Platinum
Cyclometallated Ir(III) complexes such as Ir(ppy)3 and Ir(ppy)2(N^N)+ where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine and N^N is a derivative of bipyridine or phenanthroline, display an intriguing combination of luminescent and electrochemical properties. The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of these compounds, where the excited state is formed by applying a suitable voltage, can be quite exceptional.
We seek to tune the the luminescent and redox characteristics of these complexes by varying one or more of the ligands. For example the colour of the emission can be varied from green to red. There is a vast range of possibilities for novel, highly luminescent sensing molecules based on bis- or tris- cyclometallated complexes.
See: Kiran, R. V.; Hogan, C. F.; James, B. D.; Wilson, D. J. D. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2011, 4816.
Nanostructured luminescent interfaces for sensing applications
The detection of biologically and environmentally relevant molecules, at ultralow concentration (sub-nanomolar), demands the development of novel transduction approaches. Iridium and Ruthenium complexes have exceptional luminescent and electrochemical properties, characteristics highly favorable for sensing strategies which exploit both of these properties e.g. electrochemiluminescent (ECL) sensing.
By functionalising such molecules with surface active groups, 2D molecular assemblies can be formed on electrode surfaces (see image below). This project focuses on the synthesis and immobilisation of the luminescent species with a view to their analytical application as nanostructured sensing layers.
See: Piper, D.; Barbante, G.; Brack, N.; Pigram, P.; Hogan, C. Highly Stable ECL Active Films Formed by the Electrografting of a Diazotized Ruthenium Complex Generated in Situ from the Amine Langmuir 2011, 27, 474.
