Interfacial Janus gold nanoclusters as excellent phase- and orientation-specific dopamine sensors

Analyst. 2012 Oct 21;137(20):4795-801. doi: 10.1039/c2an35964b.

Abstract

This investigation, following our recent report on the one-pot hemi-micellar interfacial synthesis of Janus gold nanoclusters and the inter-cluster electron coupling establishing insulator-metal transition in the oriented Janus monolayers [Langmuir, 2010, 26(17), 14047], was to fabricate modified electrodes for sensing dopamine, the neurotransmitter. With a detection limit in the sub-nanomolar range, the apparent electron transfer rate constants for dopamine detection signified an intricate Janus cluster 2D phase dependency. Surface pressure as a thermodynamic variable controlled the electronic communication between the clusters as a result of varied inter-cluster distance and size, ultimately reflecting on the sensitivity and detection limit for dopamine sensing. The non-covalent nature of the ligands on the core metal clusters facilitated the overall electro-catalytic oxidation of dopamine. The notable feature of this precise work was that it established a more effective phase- and orientation-specific Janus cluster sensing than those reported through patterned gold nanowire based sensors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dopamine / analysis*
  • Electrochemical Techniques*
  • Electrodes
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Gold
  • Dopamine