Sensitive dopamine sensor based on three dimensional and macroporous carbon aerogel microelectrode

Abstract

A sensitive amperometric sensor is developed for selective determination of dopamine based on electrocatalytic activity of graphene-based macroporous carbon aerogel microelectrode. Three-dimensional carbon aerogel electrode was synthesized by freeze drying of graphene and multi-wall carbon nanotubes with the assistance of Nifion. The performance and morphology of carbon aerogel electrode were investigated using SEM, XPS, XRD, EDS and electrochemical characterization. The experimental results confirmed that the porous carbon aerogel displayed excellent electrical conductivity and strong electro-catalytic activity towards dopamine oxidation. DA sensor prepared with the carbon aerogels displays rapid and sensitive electrochemical response with a detection limit of 30 nM (S/N = 3). The results of DA determination in real samples verify the feasibility of the porous carbon aerogel and potential application in biosensing and medical diagnosis.