Fabrication of an electrochemical sensor based on a graphene/Au composite for the determination of clenbuterol in beef samples

Abstract

To achieve fast clenbuterol determination, a super-sensitive amperometric biosensor was fabricated on the basis of Au nanoparticle-modified graphene oxide nanosheets (GR/Au). Antigen determination was achieved by Au measurement via positive differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in KCl solution, and the GR/Au-clenbuterol nanocomposite capture occurred on the immunosensor via competitive immunoreactions. The results displayed a linear response (0.01-15.0 ng/mL) with a detection limit (DL) as low as 7.6 pg/mL. Furthermore, clenbuterol detection in real beef specimens could be desirably addressed by the remarkably stable and specific electrochemical immunoassay proposed herein.