One of the most widely used techniques to generate light through an efficient electron transfer is called electrochemiluminescence, or electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). ECL mechanisms can be explored via ‘spooling spectroscopy’ in which individual ECL spectra showing emitted light are collected continuously during a potentiodynamic course. The obtained spectra are spooled together and plotted along the applied potential axis; because the potential sweep occurs at a defined rate, this axis is directly proportional to time. Any changes in the emission spectra can be correlated to the corresponding potentials and/or times, leading to a deeper understanding of the mechanism for light generation—information that can be used for efficiently maximizing ECL intensities. The formation of intermediates and excited states can also be tracked, which is crucial to interrogating and drawing electron transfer pathways (i.e., understanding the chemical reaction mechanism). Spooling spectroscopy is not limited to ECL; we also include instructions for the use of related methodologies, such as spooling photoluminescence spectroscopy during an electrolysis procedure, which can be easily set up. The total time required to complete the protocol is ~49 h, from making electrodes and an ECL cell, fabricating light-tight housing, to setting up instruments. Preparing the lab for an individual experiment (making an electrolyte solution of a targeted luminophore, cooling down the CCD camera, calibrating the spectrometer and surveying electrochemistry) takes ~1 h 15 min, and performing the spooling ECL spectroscopy experiment itself requires ~10 min.

通过有效的电子转移产生光的最广泛使用的技术之一称为电化学发光或电致化学发光 (ECL)。ECL 机制可以通过“假脱机光谱”进行探索，其中显示发射光的单个 ECL 光谱在电位动力学过程中被连续收集。将获得的光谱缠绕在一起并沿施加的电位轴绘制；因为电位扫描以定义的速率发生，所以该轴与时间成正比。发射光谱的任何变化都可以与相应的电位和/或时间相关联，从而加深对光产生机制的理解——这些信息可用于有效地最大化 ECL 强度。还可以跟踪中间体和激发态的形成，这对于询问和绘制电子转移途径（即了解化学反应机制）至关重要。假脱机光谱不限于 ECL；我们还包括使用相关方法的说明，例如在电解过程中缠绕光致发光光谱，可以轻松设置。完成该协议所需的总时间约为 49 小时，从制作电极和 ECL 电池、制造不透光的外壳到设置仪器。为单个实验准备实验室（制备目标发光体的电解质溶液、冷却 CCD 相机、校准光谱仪和测量电化学）需要约 1 小时 15 分钟，而执行假脱机 ECL 光谱实验本身需要约 10 分钟。