Development of a low cost device for chemiluminescence measurements

A simple and low cost device (ca. US$ 150) that comprises two photodiodes fixed in lab-made Perspex flow cell is proposed for chemiluminescence measurements. The characteristics of the device (large observation window and reduced thickness) allow maximizing the amount of the emitted radiation detected. A sensitivity improvement of ca. 50% was observed by employing two photodiodes for signal measurements. The performance of the device was assessed by the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide, yielding a linear response within the range of 2.50 to 500 mumol L-1 H2O2. The detection limit was estimated as 0.8 mumol L-1 hydrogen peroxide which is comparable with those obtained by using equipments based on photomultipliers.