Chemically modified electrodes for electrochemical detection of dopamine in the presence of uric acid and ascorbic acid: A review

Electrochemical dopamine sensor using a nanoporous gold microelectrode: a proof-of-concept study for the detection of dopamine release by scanning electrochemical microscopy

Nanoporous gold (NPG) structures were prepared on the surface of a gold microelectrode (Au-μE) by an anodization-reduction method. Cyclic voltammetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used to study the electrochemical properties and the morphology of the nanostructured film. Voltammetry showed an improved sensitivity for dopamine (DA) oxidation at this microelectrode when compared to a bare gold microelectrode, with a peak near 0.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 0.1 V s^-1. This is due to the increased surface area and roughness. Square wave voltammetry shows a response that is linear in the 0.1-10 μmol L^-1 DA concentration range, with a 30 nmol L^-1 detection limit and a sensitivity of 1.18 mA (μmol L^-1)^-1 cm^-2. The sensor is not interfered by ascorbic acid. The reproducibility, repeatability, long-term stability and real sample analysis (spiked urine) were assessed, and acceptable performance was achieved. The "proof-of-concept" detection of dopamine release was demonstrated by using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with the aim of future applications for single cell analysis. Graphical abstract A reproducible electrochemical approach was proposed to fabricate an NPG-microelectrode for DA detection, with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. Besides, a proof-of-concept detection of DA release was also demonstrated by using SECM.

Silver nanoparticles decorated eggshell membrane as an effective platform for interference free sensing of dopamine

In this paper a simple electrochemical sensing of dopamine by a new effective immobilization of tyrosinase (Tyr) enzyme on eggshell membrane (ESM) along with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is reported. The modified membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX), X-Ray diffraction (XRD). A simple solution based approach was used to prepare AgNPs on biomembrane followed by glutaraldehyde activation to immobilize Tyr on the nanoparticles decorated ESM. The direct electrochemistry of DA oxidation was performed through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Characterization of membrane was accomplished by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Prepared electrode showed very good stability, reproducibility, high selectivity, easy preparation and regeneration of electrode. The proposed sensor exhibited low detection limits 1.7ngL^-1 with wide linear range 10-1000 ngL^-1, excellent sensitivity (14.28µA µgL^-1cm^-2) with good storage and operational stabilities. The accurate measurement of dopamine in blood serum and good recoveries in spiked serum samples ensured great potential for medical diagnostics.

Imprinted Oxide and MIP/Oxide Hybrid Nanomaterials for Chemical Sensors †

The oxides of transition, post-transition and rare-earth metals have a long history of robust and fast responsive recognition elements for electronic, optical, and gravimetric devices. A wide range of applications successfully utilized pristine or doped metal oxides and polymer-oxide hybrids as nanostructured recognition elements for the detection of biologically relevant molecules, harmful organic substances, and drugs as well as for the investigative process control applications. An overview of the selected recognition applications of molecularly imprinted sol-gel phases, metal oxides and hybrid nanomaterials composed of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) and metal oxides is presented herein. The formation and fabrication processes for imprinted sol-gel layers, metal oxides, MIP-coated oxide nanoparticles and other MIP/oxide nanohybrids are discussed along with their applications in monitoring bioorganic analytes and processes. The sensor characteristics such as dynamic detection range and limit of detection are compared as the performance criterion and the miniaturization and commercialization possibilities are critically discussed.

Electromagnetic Nanoparticles for Sensing and Medical Diagnostic Applications

A modeling and design approach is proposed for nanoparticle-based electromagnetic devices. First, the structure properties were analytically studied using Maxwell's equations. The method provides us a robust link between nanoparticles electromagnetic response (amplitude and phase) and their geometrical characteristics (shape, geometry, and dimensions). Secondly, new designs based on "metamaterial" concept are proposed, demonstrating great performances in terms of wide-angle range functionality and multi/wide behavior, compared to conventional devices working at the same frequencies. The approach offers potential applications to build-up new advanced platforms for sensing and medical diagnostics. Therefore, in the final part of the article, some practical examples are reported such as cancer detection, water content measurements, chemical analysis, glucose concentration measurements and blood diseases monitoring.

Differentiable Detection of Volatile Amines with a Viologen-Derived Metal-Organic Material

The development of selective sensing materials for amine detection has received considerable attentions because amines have high toxicity and exist widely. In this article, we demonstrate for the first time that a degree of discriminative detection of alkylamines can be achieved by a metal-organic coordination material. The material is derived from Cd^II and 4,4'-bipyridinium-1,1'-bis(phenylene-3-carboxylate), shows 1D channels lined with electron-deficient viologen chromophores, and exhibits different colors upon contact with amine vapors of different molecular sizes and types (primary, secondary, and tertiary). The vapochromism is attributable to electron transfer from the amine group to viologen. The discrimination between amines is because the analyte-receptor interactions, which either directly mediate or indirectly affect electron transfer, are influenced by the number of the N-H bonds in the amine molecule, the size of the amine molecule relative to the receptor channel and the steric hindrance for the electron donor-acceptor contacts. The material also shows reversible photo- and hydrochromism owing to stimuli-induced reversible electron transfer. The compound can be deposited in paper simply by spraying the mixture solution of the starting metal salt and the ligand. The paper can be used as portable test strips for visual and differentiable detection of amines and as erasable inkless printing medium.

Highly selective and sensitive determination of dopamine in biological samples via tuning the particle size of label-free gold nanoparticles

Herein, a rapid, sensitive and selective approach for the colorimetric detection of dopamine (DA) was developed utilizing unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This assay relied upon the size-dependent aggregation behavior of DA and three other structurally similar catecholamines (CAs), offering highly specific and accurate detection of DA. By means of this study, we attempted to overcome the tedious procedures of surface premodifications and achieve selectivity through tuning the particle size of AuNPs. DA could induce the aggregation of the AuNPs via hydrogen-bonding interactions, resulting in a color change from pink to blue which can be monitored by spectrophotometry or even the naked-eye. The proposed colorimetric probe works over the 0.1 to 4μM DA concentration range, with a lower detection limit (LOD) of 22nM, which is much lower than the therapeutic lowest abnormal concentrations of DA in urine (0.57μM) and blood (16μM) samples. Furthermore, the selectivity and potential applicability of the developed method in spiked actual biological (human plasma and urine) specimens were investigated, suggesting that the present assay could satisfy the requirements for clinical diagnostics and biosensors.

Synergistic electron transfer effect-based signal amplification strategy for the ultrasensitive detection of dopamine

The selective and sensitive detection of dopamine (DA) is of great significance for the identification of schizophrenia, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease from the perspective of molecular diagnostics. So far, most of DA fluorescence sensors are based on the electron transfer from the fluorescence nanomaterials to DA-quinone. However, the limited electron transfer ability of the DA-quinone affects the level of detection sensitivity of these sensors. In this work, based on the DA can reduce Ag⁺ into AgNPs followed by oxidized to DA-quinone, we developed a novel silicon nanoparticles-based electron transfer fluorescent sensor for the detection of DA. As electron transfer acceptor, the AgNPs and DA-quinone can quench the fluorescence of silicon nanoparticles effectively through the synergistic electron transfer effect. Compared with traditional fluorescence DA sensors, the proposed synergistic electron transfer-based sensor improves the detection sensitivity to a great extent (at least 10-fold improvement). The proposed sensor shows a low detection limit of DA, which is as low as 0.1 nM under the optimal conditions. This sensor has potential applicability for the detection of DA in practical sample. This work has been demonstrated to contribute to a substantial improvement in the sensitivity of the sensors. It also gives new insight into design electron transfer-based sensors.

Preparation of Cu₂O-Reduced Graphene Nanocomposite Modified Electrodes towards Ultrasensitive Dopamine Detection

Cu₂O-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (Cu₂O-RGO) was used to modify glassy carbon electrodes (GCE), and applied for the determination of dopamine (DA). The microstructure of Cu₂O-RGO nanocomposite material was characterized by scanning electron microscope. Then the electrochemical reduction condition for preparing Cu₂O-RGO/GCE and experimental conditions for determining DA were further optimized. The electrochemical behaviors of DA on the bare electrode, RGO- and Cu₂O-RGO-modified electrodes were also investigated using cyclic voltammetry in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS, pH 3.5). The results show that the oxidation peaks of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) could be well separated and the peak-to-peak separations are 204 mV (AA-DA) and 144 mV (DA-UA), respectively. Moreover, the linear response ranges for the determination of 1 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L~1 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L and 1 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L~8 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L with the detection limit 6.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L (S/N = 3). The proposed Cu₂O-RGO/GCE was further applied to the determination of DA in dopamine hydrochloride injections with satisfactory results.

Mining the Potential of Label-Free Biosensors for In Vitro Antipsychotic Drug Screening

The pharmaceutical industry is facing enormous challenges due to high drug attribution rates. For the past decades, novel methods have been developed for safety and efficacy testing, as well as for improving early development stages. In vitro screening methods for drug-receptor binding are considered to be good alternatives for decreasing costs in the identification of drug candidates. However, these methods require lengthy and troublesome labeling steps. Biosensors hold great promise due to the fact that label-free detection schemes can be designed in an easy and low-cost manner. In this paper, for the first time in the literature, we aimed to compare the potential of label-free optical and impedimetric electrochemical biosensors for the screening of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) based on their binding properties to dopamine receptors. Particularly, we have chosen a currently-used atypical antipsychotic drug (Buspirone) for investigating its dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) binding properties using an impedimetric biosensor and a nanoplasmonic biosensor. Both biosensors have been specifically functionalized and characterized for achieving a highly-sensitive and reliable analysis of drug-D3R binding. Our biosensor strategies allow for comparing different affinities against the D3R, which facilitates the identification of strong or weak dopamine antagonists via in vitro assays. This work demonstrates the unique potential of label-free biosensors for the implementation of cost-efficient and simpler analytical tools for the screening of antipsychotic drugs.

Development of an Fe3O4@Cu silicate based sensing platform for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine

Abnormal levels of dopamine (DA) in body fluids is an indication of serious health issues, hence development of highly sensitive platforms for the precise detection of DA is highly essential. Herein, we demonstrate an Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate based electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of DA. Morphology and BET analysis shows the formation of ∼320 nm sized sea urchin-like Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate core–shell nanostructures with a 174.5 m² g⁻¹ surface area. Compared to Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, the Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate urchins delivered enhanced performance towards the electrochemical sensing of DA in neutral pH. The Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate sensor has a 1.37 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² sensitivity, 100–700 μM linear range and 3.2 μM limit of detection (LOD). In addition, the proposed Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate DA sensor also has good stability, selectivity, reproducibility and repeatability. The presence of Cu in Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate and the negatively charged surface of the Cu silicate shell play a vital role in achieving high selectivity and sensitivity during DA sensing. The current investigation not only represents the development of a highly selective DA sensor but also directs towards the possibility for the fabrication of other Cu silicate based core–shell nanostructures for the precise detection of DA.

Abnormal levels of dopamine (DA) in body fluids is an indication of serious health issues, hence development of highly sensitive platforms for the precise detection of DA is highly essential.

Trace level electrochemical determination of the neurotransmitter dopamine in biological samples based on iron oxide nanoparticle decorated graphene sheets

The trace level electrochemical determination of dopamine in biological samples based on an iron oxide nanoparticle-capped graphene sheet modified electrode.

A facile one-pot green synthesis of gold nanoparticle-graphene-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite for selective electrochemical detection of dopamine

A facile one-pot and green method was developed to prepare a nanocomposite of gold nanoparticle (AuNP), graphene (GP) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Graphene was first electro-exfoliated in a polystyrene sulfonate solution, followed by a one-step simultaneous in situ formation of gold nanoparticle and PEDOT. The as-synthesized aqueous dispersion of AuNP-GP-PEDOT:PSS was thereafter used to modify the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). For the first time, the quaternary composite between AuNP, GP, PEDOT and PSS was used for selective determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). In comparison to a bare GCE, the nanocomposite electrode shows considerably higher electrocatalytic activities toward the oxidation of DA and UA due to a synergistic effect between AuNP, GP, PEDOT and PSS. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), selective determination of DA and UA in the presence of AA could be achieved with a peak potential separation of 110 mV between DA and UA. The sensor exhibits wide linear responses for DA and UA in the ranges of 1 nM to 300 μM and 10 μM to 1 mM with detection limits (S/N = 3) of 100 pM and 10 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was also successfully used to determine DA in a real pharmaceutical injection sample as well as DA and UA in human serum with satisfactory recovery results.

A facile one-pot green synthesis of gold nanoparticle-graphene-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite was successfully demonstrated.

ZnO nanotubes supported molecularly imprinted polymers arrays as sensing materials for electrochemical detection of dopamine

In this study, ZnO nanotubes (ZNTs) were prepared onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass and used as supports for MIPs arrays fabrication. Due to the imprinted cavities are always located at both inner and outer surface of ZNTs, these ZNTs supported MIPs arrays have good accessibility towards template and can be used as sensing materials for chemical sensors with high sensitivity, excellent selectivity and fast response. Using K₃[Fe(CN)₆] as electron probe, the fabricated electrochemical sensor shows two linear dynamic ranges (0.02-5μM and 10-800μM) towards dopamine. This proposed electrochemical sensor has been applied for dopamine determination with satisfied recoveries and precision. More complex human urine samples also confirmed that the proposed method has good accuracy for dopamine determination in real biological samples. These results suggest potential applicability of the proposed method and sensor in important molecule analysis.

Development of a novel and cost-effective redox sensor for voltammetric determination of pantoprazole sodium during pharmacokinetic studies

A pencil graphite electrode modified with poly (bromocresol green (BCG)) was prepared by electro-polymerization process for the determination of pantoprazole sodium. The surface morphology and structure of poly (BCG) film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The determination of pantoprazole sodium in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 7.0) was carried out by square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric technique. Under optimum conditions, the linear response of the peak with concentration of the cited drug was in the range of 6.6-360 × 10^-8M with limit of detection of 2.2 × 10^-8M. Moreover, the poly (BCG)-modified electrode has been successfully applied to determine pantoprazole sodium in tablets, vials and during pharmacokinetic studies.

Small biomolecule sensors based on an innovative MoS2–rGO heterostructure modified electrode platform: a binder-free approach

Hydrothermally synthesized MoS₂–rGO nanoflowers can simultaneously sense ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) with good separating peak-to-peak potentials.

Significant Enhancement of the Adhesion between Metal Films and Polymer Substrates by UV-Ozone Surface Modification in Nanoscale

Polymer metallization is extensively used in a variety of micro- and nanosystem technologies. However, the deposited metal film exhibits poor adhesion to polymer substrates, which may cause difficulties in many applications. In this work, ultraviolet (UV)-ozone surface modification is for the first time put forward to enhance the adhesion between metal films and polymer substrates. The adhesion of sputtered Cu films on UV-ozone modified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates is enhanced by a factor of 6, and that of Au films is improved by a factor of 10. Moreover, metal films on the modified PMMA substrates can withstand a long-time liquid immersion. To understand the mechanism for the adhesion enhancement, the surface modification is studied with contact angle measurements, attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (ATR-FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Detailed characterization results indicate that the significant adhesion enhancement is attributed to the increases of both the surface wettability by generating some polar functional groups and the roughness of the surface in nanoscale. To demonstrate this novel polymer metallization method, a 6-in. PMMA chip with arrays of three-electrode electrochemical microsensors is designed and fabricated, and the microsensor exhibits excellent reproducibility, uniformity, and long-term stability.

Graphite pencil electrodes as electrochemical sensors for environmental analysis: a review of features, developments, and applications

Graphite pencil electrodes (GPEs) are carbon-based electrodes that are recognized by their low cost, simplicity, commercial availability, ease of modification and disposability.

A new class of electropolymerized conducting film from the pyrimidine family for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and dopamine

We report the electropolymerization of 4-amino-6-hydroxy-2-mercaptopyrimidine on a glassy carbon electrode and its application for simultaneous as well as the selective determination of ascorbic acid and dopamine at pH 4.

Utilization of a new gold/Schiff-base iron(iii) complex composite as a highly sensitive voltammetric sensor for determination of epinephrine in the presence of ascorbic acid

A new voltammetric sensor based on an iron(iii) Schiff-base complex/Au composite is synthesized and applied for the in vitro detection of epinephrine.