Stabilization and amplification of electrochemiluminescence signals

A method for the determination of an analyte in a sample by electrochemiluminescence measurement comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an electrochemiluminescence device comprising a measuring electrode,
• b) bringing a conditioning liquid which contains an electrochemiluminescence cosubstrate into contact with the electrode)
• c) adjusting conditions at the electrode which lead to the formation of a layer containing activated molecules of the electrochemiluminescence cosubstrate on the electrode or in the boundary region of the electrode,
• d) bringing the sample which contains a metal complex which contains at least one group selected from charge carriers and hydrophilic groups as an electrochemiluminescence marker group and an electrochemiluminescence cosubstrate into contact with the electrode, said marker group capable of generating a detectable signal,
• e) applying a potential to the electrode which enables an electrochemiluminescence reaction to proceed and measuring the signal during a measurement interval of at least 0.5 seconds, and
• f) correlating the measured signal with the presence or amount of the analyte in the sample.