A novel non-enzymatic dopamine sensors based on NiO-reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanosheets

Ni(OH)2 nanoflakes (NFs) and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were prepared by a hydrothermal process and the modified Hummer’s method, respectively. Then, Ni(OH)2 NFs were dispersed in the GO suspension with the assistance of ultrasonic. Finally, the mixed colloidal solution was uniformly sprayed onto the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) glass and annealed to obtain the NiO-reduced GO (RGO)/ITO electrode, which subsequently used for electrochemical sensing of dopamine (DA) analyte. The NiO-RGO/ITO electrode exhibits enhanced electrochemical response in the aqueous solution of DA analyte, which shows a high sensitivity (1.04 µA µM− 1), the lower measured detection limit (1 µM). The NiO-RGO/ITO electrode also exhibits an excellent selectivity under the interference of uric acid, repeatability and stability. The prepared sensor has been successfully applied in real samples and has a great potential to be used in clinical medicine.