A simple method was developed for the preparation of [Ru(bpy)(2)tatp](2+)-based aggregates (where bpy = 2.2'-bipyridine, tatp = 1,4,8,9-tetra-aza-triphenylene) on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode in the presence of DNA-stabilized single-walled carbon nanotubes (DNA-SWCNTs). The presence of SWCNTs in the concentration range from 0.02 to 0.125 g L-1 dispersed with 0.25 mmol L-1 DNA was found to promote the immobilization of [Ru(bpy)(2)tatp](2+) on the ITO electrode by the method of repetitive voltammetric sweeping. The photoluminescence of [Ru(bpy)(2)tatp](2+) incorporating DNA-SWCNTs both in solution and on the ITO electrode was systematically investigated by emission spectra and fluorescence microscopic imaging. An excess amount of SWCNTs can quench the photoluminescence of [Ru(bpy)(2)tatp](2+) enhanced by DNA. The anodic potentials combined with CW green laser via an optical microscope was found to significantly increase the emission intensity of [Ru(bpy)(2)tatp](2+)-DNA-SWCNTs aggregates on the ITO electrode. In addition, the electrochemical fabrication and photoluminescence principles of [Ru(bpy)(2)tatp](2+)-DNA-SWCNTs aggregates on the ITO electrode tuned by the external electric fields were discussed in detail. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.