Real-time monitoring of neurotransmitter levels is of tremendous technological demand, which requires more sensitive and selective sensors over a dynamic concentration range. As a use case, we report yttrium vanadate within three-dimensional graphene aerogel (YVO/GA) as a novel electrocatalyst for detecting dopamine (DA). This synergy effect endows YVO/GA nanocomposite with good electrochemical behaviors for DA detection compared to other electrodes. Benefiting from tailorable properties, it provides a large specific surface area, rapid electron transfer, more active sites, good catalytic activity, synergic effect, and high conductivity. The essential analytical parameters were estimated from the calibration plot, such as a limit of detection (1.5 nM) and sensitivity (7.1 μA μM-1 cm-2) with the YVO/GA sensor probe electrochemical approach. The calibration curve was fitted with the correlation coefficient of 0.994 in the DA concentration range from 0.009 to 83 μM, which is denoted as the linear working range. We further demonstrate the proposed YVO/GA sensor's applicability to detect DA in human serum sample with an acceptable recovery range. Our results imply that the developed sensor could be applied to the early analysis of dementia, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Keywords: binary metal oxide; biological sample; carbonous material; electrocatalyst; electrochemical sensors; human health.