Tailored portable electrochemical sensor for dopamine detection in human fluids using heteroatom-doped three-dimensional g-C3N4 hornet nest structure

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta Vol. 1320; p. 342985
• Main Authors: Emran, Mohammed Y., Kotb, Ahmed, Ganganboina, Akhilesh Babu, Okamoto, Akihiro, Abolibda, Tariq Z., Alzahrani, Hassan A.H., Gomha, Sobhi M., Ma, Chongbo, Zhou, Ming, Shenashen, Mohamed A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Biological samples; Dopamine; Multifunctional surface interface; Neuronal diseases; Porous g-C3N4; Portable electrochemical sensor; Porous g-C3N4; Multifunctional surface interface; Dopamine; Portable electrochemical sensor; Neuronal diseases; Biological samples
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342985

There is widespread interest in the design of portable electrochemical sensors for the selective monitoring of biomolecules. Dopamine (DA) is one of the neurotransmitter molecules that play a key role in the monitoring of some neuronal disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Facile synthesis of the highly active surface interface to design a portable electrochemical sensor for the sensitive and selective monitoring of biomolecules (i.e., DA) in its resources such as human fluids is highly required. The designed sensor is based on a three-dimensional phosphorous and sulfur resembling a g-C3N4 hornet's nest (3D-PS-doped CNHN). The morphological structure of 3D-PS-doped CNHN features multi-open gates and numerous vacant voids, presenting a novel design reminiscent of a hornet's nest. The outer surface exhibits a heterogeneous structure with a wave orientation and rough surface texture. Each gate structure takes on a hexagonal shape with a wall size of approximately 100 nm. These structural characteristics, including high surface area and hierarchical design, facilitate the diffusion of electrolytes and enhance the binding and high loading of DA molecules on both inner and outer surfaces. The multifunctional nature of g-C3N4, incorporating phosphorous and sulfur atoms, contributes to a versatile surface that improves DA binding. Additionally, the phosphate and sulfate groups' functionalities enhance sensing properties, thereby outlining selectivity. The resulting portable 3D-PS-doped CNHN sensor demonstrates high sensitivity with a low limit of detection (7.8 nM) and a broad linear range spanning from 10 to 500 nM. The portable DA sensor based on the 3D-PS-doped CNHN/SPCE exhibits excellent recovery of DA molecules in human fluids, such as human serum and urine samples, demonstrating high stability and good reproducibility. The designed portable DA sensor could find utility in the detection of DA in clinical samples, showcasing its potential for practical applications in medical settings. A portable electrochemical sensor based on the surface functional and activity of 3D-PS-doped CNHN was designed to detect the low levels of dopamine (DA) molecules in human fluids such as human serum and urine samples. The 3D-PS-doped CNHN surface functionality leads to facile binding to the DA molecules and fast redox transfer. These functionalities provide a stable signaling of DA with high sensitivity and selectivity in complex mixtures such as human fluids. The designed sensor could be used widely for monitoring of some neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. [Display omitted] •Controlled synthesis of a novel g-C3N4 structure with facile doping of phosphorous and sulfur atoms was assigned.•A portable electrochemical sensor based on the highly active surface of 3D-PS-doped CNHN was designed.•The surface morphology and chemical composition of 3D-PS-doped CNHN outmost the surface interface functionality.•A sensitive and selective biosensing dopamine assay was designed based on 3D-PS-doped CNHN.•The 3D-PS-doped CNHN shows a highly stable and reproducible portable electrochemical sensor for DA screening in human fluids.