article · Chemosensors
Researchers have developed a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor to detect dopamine using a composite material made from gold nanoparticles embedded in silica and functionalised with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane. Synthesised using a sol-gel method, the material was applied to glassy carbon electrodes to serve as a molecular recognition element. Physical and chemical characterisation confirmed the successful and homogeneous embedding of gold within the silica network. When evaluated with differential pulse voltammetry, the sensor detected minute quantities of dopamine across two distinct linear ranges, reaching a low limit of detection. The electrode maintained strong selectivity against interfering compounds, showed good reusability, and achieved reliable signal recovery when tested on spiked human urine and plasma samples. These outcomes indicate that the composite material provides an effective platform for sensitive dopamine measurements in biological matrices.
Dopamine is an essential chemical messenger in the human body, and tracking its levels accurately is vital for medical diagnostics. Conventional testing often requires complex enzymes or specialised equipment. This approach demonstrates a stable, non-enzymatic alternative capable of identifying dopamine in complex bodily fluids without interference from other compounds.
The technology could enable the production of diagnostic tools for clinical laboratories or point-of-care medical testing. It would be of interest to diagnostic device manufacturers seeking robust, enzyme-free detection methods for biological fluids. Tested in spiked human plasma and urine within a laboratory setting, the sensor is at an applied research stage and requires further development before clinical deployment.
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A novel material composed of Au@SiO2-(3-Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane) (Au@SiO2-APTES) was successfully synthesised using the sol–gel method, and was used to modify glassy carbon electrodes. Its effectiveness as a molecular recognition element is evaluated in the design of an electrochemical sensor for the precise detection of dopamine. The Au@SiO2-APTES composite was analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Elemental analysis verified the presence of oxygen, silicon, and gold, with atomic percentages of around 77.19%, 21.12%, and 1.65%, respectively. The corresponding elemental mapping for Au@SiO2-APTES composite showed that the spatial distribution of all the elements was fairly homogeneous throughout the composite, indicating that the Au NPs are embedded in the silica structures. Traces of dopamine were detected by differential pulse voltammetry with a low limit of detection (S/N = 3) and quantification (S/N = 10) of 1.4 × 10−8 molL−1 and 4.7 × 10−8 molL−1, respectively. The Au@SiO2-APTES composite had two linear ranges: from 4.7 × 10−8 to 1 × 10−7 molL−1 and 1.25 × 10−7 to 8.75 × 10−7 molL−1. Moreover, the sensor showed outstanding selectivity even in the presence of various potential interfering species. It also demonstrated good reusability and signal recovery when tested in human urine and plasma samples spiked with different dopamine concentrations. The electrochemical sensor, constructed using this novel composite material, shows great promise in the selective and sensitive detection of dopamine in the biological matrix. These results underscore the sensor’s capability for practical application in analysing real-world samples.
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DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors13030087
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