A novel 3D porous graphene foam prepared by chemical vapor deposition using nickel nanoparticles: Electrochemical determination of levodopa in the presence of uric acid

Spherical nickel nanoparticles were prepared by an N2H4-based solution reduction route. Then, graphene was deposited on the template of nickel nanoparticles by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at a high temperature. After etching nickel, small-sized, porous and free-standing 3D graphene foam (3D GF) was obtained. It was transferred on the indium tin oxide (ITO) glass (3D GF/ITO) for electrochemical determination of levodopa in the presence/absence of uric acid. The results show that the pore size of the 3D GF is similar to 1 mu m. The electrode shows a high sensitivity of 0.24 mu A.mu M-1 for the detection of levodopa. The electrode also shows a low measured limit of detection, superior selectivity, reproducibility and stability. Meanwhile, it shows a great potential in the clinical application.