chemiluminescence
(ˌkɛmɪl(j)uːmɪˈnɛsəns)
[ad. G. chemilumineszenz (M. Trautz 1905, in Zeitschr. f. Physik. Chem. LIII. i. 1), f. chemico- + luminescence.]
Emission of light accompanying a chemical reaction, as in the oxidation of phosphorus. Hence ˌchemilumiˈnescent a.
| 1889 [see photoluminescence]. 1905 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LXXXVIII. ii. 662 (title) Chemiluminescence. 1907 Chem. Abstr. I. 267 (title) A Reaction with Green Chemiluminescence. 1913 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. XXXV. 825 Formaldehyde is known to be chemiluminescent under some conditions of alkaline oxidation. 1942 E. J. Bowen Chem. Aspects of Light xi. 170 The limits separating chemiluminescence from emission due to heat alone, and from electronic excitation..are not as clearly marked as they might be expected to be. Ibid. 176 Even in well-investigated chemiluminescent reactions of an elementary character the results are neither simple nor conclusive. 1966 New Scientist 17 Feb. 394/3 Chemiluminescence, which is emitted at room temperature during some chemical reactions. |