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

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Abstract

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.

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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), CNPq and CAPES for regular final supports. SAK and MB gratefully acknowledged FAPESP and CNPq for the research grants #2014/15215-5 & #2015/20776-9 and 150177/2018-6, respectively. JSGS thanks to CNPq for a PhD fellowship grant #141866/2016-0. HSCS acknowledges to Oficina de Porgramas y Servicios Internacionales, OPSI, of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional for the funding granted for his stay at Institute of Chemistry, USP-Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, SP, 748, Brazil

    Henry Steven Catota Sáenz, Lucas Patricio Hernández-Saravia, Jéssica S. G. Selva, Anandhakumar Sukeri & Mauro Bertotti

  2. Facultad de Ingeniería Química y Agroindustria, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Ladrón de Guevara E11-253, P.O. Box 17-01-2759, 170525, Quito, Ecuador

    Henry Steven Catota Sáenz

  3. Department of Chemistry, Universidad de Tarapacá, General Velasquéz 1577, Arica, Arica y Parinacota, Chile

    Lucas Patricio Hernández-Saravia

  4. Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Avenida 12 de Octubre y Roca, Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador

    Patricio Javier Espinoza-Montero

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  1. Henry Steven Catota Sáenz
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Sáenz, H.S.C., Hernández-Saravia, L.P., Selva, J.S.G. et al. Electrochemical dopamine sensor using a nanoporous gold microelectrode: a proof-of-concept study for the detection of dopamine release by scanning electrochemical microscopy. Microchim Acta 185, 367 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2898-z

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