Synthesis of Au@ZIF-8 nanocomposites for enhanced electrochemical detection of dopamine

Gold nanoparticles and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanocomposites (Au@ZIF-8) were synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method and used as an enzyme-free sensor for dopamine detection. Various characterizations were used to investigate the structure and morphology of Au@ZIF-8 nanocomposites. The electrochemical performance of Au@ZIF-8 nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (Au@ZIF-8/GCE) was examined in 0.1M phosphate-buffered saline with different concentrations of dopamine. Consequently, Au@ZIF-8/GCE possessed an excellent electrochemical catalytic performance to dopamine, having been reported to its wider linear range from 0.1 to 50 mu M, lower detection limit of 0.01 mu M (S/N= 3) and higher sensitivity of 6.452 mu AmM-1 cm(-2). The proposed sensor exhibited acceptable stability and repeatability due to the coupling effect of Au nanoparticles and ZIF-8. All the evidence suggested a potential application of Au@ZIF-8 nanocomposites in a non-enzymatic dopamine sensor.