Nanomaterials based electrochemical sensors for serotonin detection: A review

Abstract

The present review deals with the recent progress made in the field of the electrochemical detection of serotonin by means of electrochemical sensors based on various nanomaterials incorporated in the sensitive element. Due to the unique chemical and physical properties of these nanomaterials, it was possible to develop sensitive electrochemical sensors with excellent analytical performances, useful in the practice. The main electrochemical sensors used in serotonin detection are based on carbon electrodes modified with carbon nanotubes and various materials, such as benzofuran, polyalizarin red-S, poly(L-arginine), Nafion/Ni(OH)2, or graphene oxide, incorporating silver-silver selenite nanoparticles, as well as screen-printed electrodes modified with zinc oxide or aluminium oxide. Also, the review describes the nanocomposite sensors based on conductive polymers, tin oxide-tin sulphide, silver/polypyrole/copper oxide or a hybrid structure of cerium oxide-gold oxide nanofibers together with ruthenium oxide nanowires. The presentation focused on describing the sensitive materials, characterizing the sensors, the detection techniques, electroanalytical properties, validation and use of sensors in lab practice.