ZrO2-Graphene-Chitosan nanocomposite modified carbon paste sensor for sensitive and selective determination of dopamine

A sensitive and stable electrochemical sensor was developed by modification of carbon paste electrode with ZrO2/graphene/chitosan nanocomposite. The modified sensor served as a potential electrocatalytic platform for dopamine. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies indicated reduction of charge transfer resistance at the modified electrode surface thereby facilitating the electron transfer process which resulted in higher current response to dopamine. The electrochemical behavior of dopamine at the modified electrode was studied using cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The maximum current response for the electro-oxidation of dopamine was observed at pH 7.4 and the process was realized to be diffusion controlled. The modified sensor demonstrated linearity in the range 1000-5000 nM, with high sensitivity (22 nA/nM), detection limit of 11.3 nM and selectivity for dopamine in the presence of ascorbic and uric acid which are found to co-exist with dopamine in physiological media. The method was employed for quantification of dopamine in a pharmaceutical formulation. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.